Research Assistant
FAQ
What are the expectations of a Research Assistant?
As a Research Assistant, you will:
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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 the duties 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 successful
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research 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 you to 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
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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's event 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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