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The importance of being teaching or research assistant in getting MS/PhD

The importance of being teaching or research assistant in getting MS/PhD. Eklou Amendah & Fan Xiaomeng Purdue University Class Project: CSR 600 Fall 2005. Introduction. The challenge of being teaching/research assistant

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The importance of being teaching or research assistant in getting MS/PhD

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  1. The importance of being teaching or research assistant in getting MS/PhD Eklou Amendah & Fan Xiaomeng Purdue University Class Project: CSR 600 Fall 2005

  2. Introduction • The challenge of being teaching/research assistant Why is it academically important for graduate students to go through TA/RA position to get a MS/PhD Degree. • Previous Studies on TA/RA focus on • Selection, preparation, training,supervision and mentoring issues (Park,2004) • Direct benefits of being TA/RA -Preparation for future professional life (Allen & Reuter, 1990) -Financial aspect

  3. Purpose statement • The purpose of this study is to : • provide an understanding of graduate TA/RA experience through detail description of their academic activities as they progress toward their degree. • identify and analyze some potential benefits and drawbacks of their experience • summarize or categorize their experience into different themes.

  4. Methodology • Data Collection: • one-on-one interview, open-ended questions. • note taking • Subjects: 8 graduate assistants and 5 professors in CSR Dept. • Data Analysis: • coding process • theme generation and presentation • interpretation • Strategies of Validity: • Researchers’ role • Member checking • Thick description

  5. Results • Students’ perspective • Important skills - Strong communication - Teaching experience - Conflict management - Time management “I acquire more confidence in proposal and at conference presentations”

  6. Results “My professor gave me advices and share her experience with me” • Importance of the experience (In terms of interactions with professors and other TA/RA) -Professor method (Support from the professor, Good advice, encouragement) -Student’s attitude -Support from other graduate students “I respect my professor and keep my responsibility” “We contribute to each other’s papers, for example, I was asked to do data analysis and was the third author in one of her papers”

  7. Results • Application of the experience - Knowledge of the material - Learning (capacity to learn, accumulation of knowledge) 1. Research 2. Publication - Capacity to use acquired knowledge to support the degree “I learn how to do research completely” “I submitted 3 papers last year and get one published” “My existing position is helping me get closer to the degree.”

  8. Results • Professors’ perspective • Work on time • Communication skills • Knowledge of the material and the faculty • Willingness to learn “ Good passion! Be passionate on research!”

  9. Conclusion • Advantages of TA/RA • TA/RA Vs. Non TA/RA • Positive impact • Implication • Help new students understand what skills are relevant in Graduate school • Professor help students develop those skills • Future Research • Quantitative study to generalize the result Independent variables: Learning the material, T/R Skills, Communication, Time management Dependent variables: Importance of being TA/RA

  10. Limitations • The result may not be generalized too broadly • use of convenience sample • participants from specific departments • participants from only one university • Participants include the new TA/RA who might not be fully aware of advantages and disadvantage of TA/RA position. • Findings might be subject to other interpretations

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