Employment Opportunity: Research Assistant

Research Assistant: Instructional Choices Impact Test Anxiety Study

Organizational Status: Temporary, part-time

Hours of work: 10-20 hours/week, depending on stage of research project.

Term of work: June 2021 – September 2021

This position will play a key role in data collection that will inform the creation of a professional development program for faculty members. The data collection will gather the experience of the undergraduate students who self-identify as having or have deal with test anxiety at UCalgary. The research assistant will facilitate the focus groups of students, faculty members, and support staff as well as draft summaries of the focus groups. The research assistant will also draft narrative vignettes that evoke common student experiences.

The successful candidate for this position will have lived experience with test-taking as well as experience discussing mental health concerns. The candidate will be critical for the organization, scheduling, facilitation of the focus groups. The candidate will need to follow research study protocol, including address questions regarding informed consent. The successful candidate will be supervised by the principal investigator and/or one of the study co-investigators.

Position duties include:
• Collaborate with research team
• Connect with participants to schedule and organize focus groups
• Follow research protocols, including confidentiality requirements
• Facilitation of focus groups and qualitative analysis
• Report writing

Qualifications:
• Interest in and lived experience with test-taking as a post-secondary student.
• Currently a University of Calgary student, preferably enrolled in a graduate program or with relevant research experience
• Experience in facilitating conversations on mental health topics, such as peer-helping roles
• Experience conducting qualitative interviews or focus groups would be an asset
• Ability to be flexible and take initiative
• Ability to successfully work in a team environment
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with Zoom or other video communication tools
• Preference for candidates who have completed TCPS 2: CORE — Tutorial

Please send resume and cover letter, including personal interest in study topic, by Friday June 4th 2021 to:
Brenda McDermott
Supervisor, Exam Centre
Student Accessibility Services
E: bemcderm@ucalgary.ca