Research Assistant
FAQ
What are the expectations of a Research Assistant?
As a Research Assistant, you will:
- conduct field or on site research under the guidance and mentorship of your chosen faculty member who has agreed to be your research mentor.
- obtain the valuable experience of learning more about research from your faculty mentor and in conducting actual applied research.
- recognize you are in a unique position in supporting one of the Seven Priorities of CSUN and CAMINO in furthering academic research.
- understand theduties and responsibilities assigned to you and seek clarification when needed.
- respect that the research assistantship is actual work experience and commit to the project requirements and outcomes.
- meet regularly (at least weekly) with your faculty mentor.
- openly discuss and troubleshoot any issues of concern regarding workload, responsibilities and expectations with your faculty mentor, when necessary.
- be professional, receptive and engaged.
What is the time commitment of the Research Assistant?
Research Assistants will commit up to 10 hours a week for 15 weeks each semester of the academic year they apply for.
How are the hours dispersed throughout the week?
You will work with your faculty advisor to determine a mutually agreeable schedule to accomplish your research assistant duties.
Do I have to be Hispanic/Latino to apply?
Per the Department of Education requirements (CAMINOs funding agency), we encourage Hispanic/Latino students to apply, however, we accept applicants from all populations.
Do I have to be a graduate student?
Yes, you are required to be a graduate student to be a research assistant.
Will I receive training to prepare me to be a research assistant?
You sure will! The CAMINO project directors and staff provide you with a three hour orientation and training event to kick off your research assistantship and provide you with the resources and foundation you will need to be a successfulresearch assistant. A training date and time will be arranged once applications are reviewed and research assistants have been notified. Further training will occur one-on-one with your faculty mentor through your research duties and regular faculty mentor meetings.
I am brand new to research, can I still apply?
This will be a decision you and your faculty mentor will ultimately need to determine. In most instances, research assistants have had at least some coursework or experience conducting some of the duties pertaining to research (described above) – although this is not required. Some faculty may have more time and/or resources available to provide you with the fundamentals of research and training required to assist them in conducting their research.
What will my exact duties be as a Research Assistant?
Each research assistantship is unique to each individual and their faculty mentor. Some examples of your duties could be: assisting with Institution Review Board (IRB) submissions, survey development, collection and analyses of data, data entry and data cleaning, literature reviews, report writing, manuscript submissions, grant administration duties, etc.
Can I work with faculty members that are outside my program?
Yes.For example, you may have a prior relationship or contacts from professors from another major such as your undergraduate program or a specific on campus graduate assistant or staff position that you would like to work with. This is just fine. If you are interested in another area, we encourage youto browse faculty/department websites to find a topic and/or faculty member that you are interested in working with. Your proposed program/research is subject to approval.
Does research only take place in a lab or at CSUN?
No. Applied research takes place in various settings such as the community, nonprofit agencies, schools, hospitals/clinics, public health departments, parks, labs, and other field sites for primary or evaluation data. For secondary data you may be working with an already collected data set your faculty mentor provides you with.
Will I have an assigned office space or place to conduct my research?
Where you conduct your research and assistant duties will be determined by you and your faculty mentor.
Will I have to work weekends or evenings?
When you conduct your research will also be determined by you and your faculty mentor. Per CSUN’s policy – research should be conducted in a conducive and safe work environment and always under the supervision or informed faculty member. Sometimes field research does not correspond with a typical workweek. However, you should not be required to work longer than 8 hours in one day, more than 5 days a week, on CSUN observed holidays, etc. Your faculty mentor should consider that you are a student and have scholarly responsibilities to uphold as your first priority.
Will I have an opportunity to present my research?
Yes! As an RA recipient, you are strongly encouraged to present and share (in the research world we call this dissemination) your research in a meaningful way that builds your skills as a researcher. Each year, CAMINO hosts an event called Thesis Talks, in which HHD grad students create, practice and perform"Ted Talk" like 7-10 minute presentations to share content with their research community. This year'sevent will be held in conjunction with CSUN's Research and Creative Works Symposium on Friday, February 19, 2016 in Plaza Del Sol.
Am I paid for being a Research Assistant?
You sure are! Research Assistants are paid $15 an hour, up to 10 hours a week.
If I already work on campus, can I also be a Research Assistant?
It depends on the circumstance. Once you complete the supplemental application we will be able to determine if you are eligible to be a research assistant.
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