Mentoring Style and Expectations

We spend the majority of research time preparing for the project, i.e. the steps before you actually start any data collection/analysis:

• Study design and research questions

• Discussion of methods and anticipated statistical analyses

• IRB application

• Identification of funding source(s) and application/budget preparation

• Identification of potential conferences for poster presentation(s)

• Identification of potential journals for publication

When we are ready to collect data, I will provide training on research methods if needed and may be involved in data collection. Note that for SAGE graduate students, we will likely be working with a secondary dataset (instead of collecting new data) for your project. I ask students to attempt the first round of data analyses (you will need to be resourceful and first try to figure things out on your own). Ultimately, I do work closely with students in data analyses and interpretation.

We have regular research meetings and have set deadlines. Students are expected to:

• have a strong work ethic

• be reliable (be punctual and keep deadlines)

• be motivated and resourceful

• be self-directed but know when to ask for guidance

• communicate effectively orally and in written form (I ask for a writing sample prior to agreeing to work with you; being able to write in a concise, academic manner is very important to me.)

• have computer and technical skills; be tech-savvy to figure out how to use Google Suite, Microsoft Office (especially excel), Adobe products, etc. (e.g. formatting documents, creating presentations, creating flyers, managing databases, learning SPSS, etc.)

• be receptive to feedback (not take feedback personally)

• incorporate feedback into action and grow/progress

The goal of my RSCA work is to obtain peer-reviewed publications (in the form of poster abstracts and/or journal articles). Typically my students will the first-author on the publication(s), and I will be the corresponding author.