Faculty research skills development.

Abstract

This article presents a plan for faculty research skills development. Three categories of faculty research roles are described: researcher, researcher/teacher, teacher/research team member. A faculty member elects to be placed in one of the categories based on academic credentials, research expertise, and professional goals. At the departmental level, faculty share research ideas and receive mutual support through regularly scheduled biweekly faculty research meetings. Faculty research skills are cultivated via monthly seminars. Administrative support is furnished through a research management system designed to facilitate the process of initiating research projects and responding to external funding research opportunities in a timely manner. The research management component offers: seed money for pilot studies and small projects; funds for research assistants and consultants; focused information dissemination concerning funding sources; and clerical support systems for completing and submitting grant applications.