What We Learned about Mentoring Research Assistants Employed in a Complex, Mixed-Methods Health Study

We investigated the experiences of research assistants in their dual role as both employees and trainees, when they were employed in a complex, mixedmethods, Canadian study on the everyday experience of living with and managing a chronic condition. A total of 13 research assistants participated in o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCanadian journal of higher education (1975) Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 207 - 228
Main Authors Weeks, Lori E, Villeneuve, Michelle A, Hutchinson, Susan, Roger, Kerstin, Versnel, Joan, Packer, Tanya
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Toronto The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education 01.12.2015
Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education
Subjects
Analysis
Assistants
Canada
Case Studies
Chronic Illness
Cohort Analysis
Employees
Expectation
Focus Groups
Foreign Countries
Graduate teaching assistants
Living conditions
Longitudinal Studies
Mentors
Mixed Methods Research
Peer Teaching
Program Effectiveness
Qualitative Research
Research Assistants
Research Methodology
Rewards
Role Perception
Semi Structured Interviews
Special Health Problems
Student Financial Aid
Studies
Surveys
Training Methods
Vocational guidance
Canada
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Summary:We investigated the experiences of research assistants in their dual role as both employees and trainees, when they were employed in a complex, mixedmethods, Canadian study on the everyday experience of living with and managing a chronic condition. A total of 13 research assistants participated in one or more components of this study: a survey (n = 11), focus group interview (n = 7), and/or individual interview (n = 13). Thematic analysis identified two key themes: what faculty mentors should provide to research assistants before they begin their work, and what faculty mentors need to know in order to effectively offer ongoing support to research assistants. Our results provide valuable insights for new and experienced faculty members who employ research assistants and for research assistants employed in funded research projects. Our results can inform the development of regulations to ensure that research assistants have greater protection as both trainees and employees.   
ISSN:0316-1218
2293-6602
DOI:10.47678/cjhe.v45i4.184492