Research Assistant Opportunity - Assessing learning activities based on the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy Project, (SFU) Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines (ISTLD)

This project seeks to build on the research team’s prior work in understanding students’ information literacy skills, specifically their ability to assess authors’ authority and conduct database searches strategically. The research assistant will qualitatively analyze data previously collected in light of the learning outcomes and other emergent themes, and explore whether a relationship exists between achievement in the various learning outcomes. The research assistant will provide recommendations for a new iteration of data collection based on the data analysis findings, and will assist with distribution and implementation of the new data collection tool along with developing a means of assessment.

Research assistant responsibilities include:                  

·         Qualitative coding and analyzing student response data;

·         Creating a codebook based on learning outcomes achieved and emergent themes;

·         Conducting exploratory data analysis to generate hypotheses and identifying patterns, themes, and correlations in           student responses;

·         Contributing to research plans, problem statements, and selection of underlying theoretical or conceptual frameworks           to guide inquiry;

·         Advise on next iteration of data collection;

·         Build future data collection tool(s) in Canvas, including creation of a rubric to assess and code student responses; and

·         Support sharing of the presentation of project findings within and beyond SFU.

Required qualifications and skills:

·         Currently enrolled in a graduate program at SFU (M.A., ME.d, PhD or equivalent combination of skills and experiences);

·         Expertise in qualitative data analysis;

·         Familiarity with qualitative data analysis packages/languages, such as NVivo;

·         Ability to conduct basic quantitative analyses and effectively communicate the work to a non-data-science audience;

• Willingness to learn about information literacy, specifically as expressed in the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy ;

·         Academic research and writing skills, as demonstrated by prior completion of similar projects;

·         Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills; and

• Ability to work independently, productively, and creatively.

Desired qualifications and skills:

• Experience in educational assessment
• An interest in evidence-based teaching and learning, and education

Rate of pay: $23-25.00/hr (incl. vacation and statutory holiday pay, no medical or dental benefits). Based on experience, qualifications and degree program (MA or PhD).

To Apply: Applicants should submit: (1) a 1-page cover letter structured to address the qualifications, skills, and role responsibilities as listed above, and (2) a 1-2 page resumé. These two items should be organized as one PDF attachment and addressed to Holly Hendrigan, and emailed to hah1@sfu.ca. Note: References will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline: 4:30 p.m. September 11, 2020. We appreciate all replies to this position posting; however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.

Online posting can be found here: http://www.sfu.ca/istld/researchassistants/raopportunities/RA417.html

Direct all queries about this posting to Holly Hendrigan, hah1@sfu.ca