Graduate Research Productivity Research Articles

Starting early: Case study of mentoring for undergraduate training through the Veterans Health Administration and implications for promoting equity.

Undergraduate mentoring and research internships promote entry into graduate training, academic success, research productivity, and greater career satisfaction. Most pathway programs to enhance representation within academia and health care intervene at the graduate level, leaving a critical gap in undergraduate training. The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) national network of clinicians and researchers is uniquely suited to provide equitable access to quality mentorship and education for undergraduates interested in health care careers. We present a program evaluation case study of a VHA undergraduate training program incorporating empirically supported components that promote success and transition to graduate school, including tiered mentorship, a didactic-preceptor model, hands-on experience, and interdisciplinary work. We describe participant characteristics and consider the program elements that may contribute to trainees' success, highlighting the importance of undergraduate training within a health care system like VHA. We found that all program completers attained their bachelor's degree and nearly 70% advanced to graduate studies. Despite some differences based on participant characteristics, all program components were deemed useful preparation for professional success, with hands-on research experience and mentoring cited as the most helpful. The promising results of our case study demonstrate the feasibility of successfully implementing an undergraduate training program to provide a pathway to advanced careers in health care within the VHA. We posit that programs like ours can serve as a framework for creating pathway training programs that target undergraduates traditionally underrepresented, subsequently empowering them to pursue health care careers, and ultimately increasing diversity by training professionals who are better prepared to assist with diverse patient needs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Family and consumer sciences graduate research productivity in 2022

AbstractSince 1992, information on graduate student degrees and family and consumer sciences research has been collected annually. Data collection for 2022 began in July 2023 when 549 e‐mail invitations were sent to contacts at 165 U.S. universities and colleges, inviting family and consumer sciences programs to report graduate program degree completions and research production through theses and dissertations. Twenty‐three institutions responded with data and reported 740 graduate degrees conferred collectively, with 123 master's theses, 184 dissertations, and 433 non‐thesis master's degrees completed. This review reports degree completion and highlights topical trends of the theses and dissertations completed by reporting programs.

The impact of integrating a compulsory community-oriented research program within undergraduate medical curriculum on graduates' scientific publications: perspectives from Arabian Gulf University

PurposeMedical schools aspire to graduate doctors who are competent in interpreting, conducting and publishing scientific research. Hence, the purpose of the paper is explore the impact of a structured compulsory community-oriented, project-based research program in the undergraduate medical curriculum on medical graduates’ future careers, publications and motivation for scientific research.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire was sent through the Alumni Association of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) to medical graduates who have valid email addresses, seeking information on their scientific productivity along with demographic and current employment data. Responses were collated and analyzed using a standard statistical software package. The chi-square test and p-value were calculated. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.FindingsCompleted forms were received from 91 medical graduates. In this sample, almost a quarter of the respondents have published a research paper out of their undergraduate research project, and about 50% have published at least one paper (as main or co-author) after graduation. Both demographic and medical specialty was not related to the doctor's perception of the benefits they have attained from the compulsory undergraduate research program. However, medical graduates who are at senior levels in their medical careers and those who are employed in secondary healthcare are significantly more likely to publish research papers.Originality/valueThe compulsory community-oriented, project-based research program in AGU has positively contributed to the research productivity of graduates, and it would be worthwhile to include such programs as an integral part of the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Gender Differences in the Research Productivity of Radiation Oncology Resident Graduates in the United States: 2015 to 2019

PurposeIt is well-documented that gender disparities exist in academic radiation oncology departments. The purpose of this study was to analyze gender differences in research productivity during residency among recent graduates of radiation oncology training programs in the United States (US). Methods and MaterialsWe used several publicly available sources to create a database of US radiation oncology residents who graduated between 2015 and 2019. We systematically collected gender information from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System National Provider Identifier Registry and Medicare claims registry. Postresidency employment information was collected using several publicly available sources. PubMed was queried to identify first-author publications of residents. A secondary analysis of metadata including impact factor, number of citations, modified Hirsch index (h index), and type of publication was performed. A multivariable linear regression was performed to evaluate the effect of gender on research productivity during residency. ResultsThere were 910 total graduates identified during this period and who were entered into this database, of whom all had available gender information. Female trainees comprised 29.0% (n = 264) of RO residents and had fewer first-author publications and citations, had lower mean modified h index, and were published in journals with lower impact factors. On multivariable linear regression analysis, female gender was independently associated with decreased total number of publications (P = .005), mean number of citations (P < .001), and modified h index (P = .001) when controlling for residency size and advanced (PhD or master's) degrees. ConclusionsIn the US, female RO trainees had lower research productivity, which was not explained by advanced degrees or residency size. A significant gender gap in trainee research productivity persists, which has known implications in terms of academic achievement, promotions, and career trajectory. Future interventions to improve resident research productivity and mentorship are warranted.

Family and consumer sciences graduate research productivity in 2021

AbstractGraduate student degree completion and research has been collected annually since 1992. This year’s data collection began with an e‐mail invitation to 593 institutional contacts at 165 U.S. universities and colleges in June 2022. This e‐mail requested information on family and consumer sciences graduate degrees and research completed in 2021. A total of 150 master’s theses, 122 doctoral dissertations, and 664 non‐thesis master’s degrees were conferred in 2021 from family and consumer sciences programs. This review reports not only degree completion, but also highlights the topical trends of theses and dissertations completed within family and consumer sciences programs.

Analyzing international medical graduate research productivity for application to US neurosurgery residency and beyond: A survey of applicants, program directors, and institutional experience.

BackgroundThe authors investigated perceived discrepancies between the neurosurgical research productivity of international medical graduates (IMGs) and US medical graduates (USMGs) through the perspective of program directors (PDs) and successfully matched IMGs.MethodsResponses to 2 separate surveys on neurosurgical applicant research productivity in 115 neurosurgical programs and their PDs were analyzed. Neurosurgical research participation was analyzed using an IMG survey of residents who matched into neurosurgical residency within the previous 8 years. Productivity of IMGs conducting dedicated research at the study institution was also analyzed.ResultsThirty-two of 115 (28%) PDs responded to the first research productivity survey and 43 (37%) to the second IMG research survey. PDs expected neurosurgery residency applicants to spend a median of 12–24 months on research (Q1-Q3: 0–12 to 12–24; minimum time: 0–24; maximum time: 0–48) and publish a median of 5 articles (Q1-Q3: 2–5 to 5–10; minimum number: 0–10; maximum number: 4–20). Among 43 PDs, 34 (79%) ranked “research institution or associated personnel” as the most important factor when evaluating IMGs' research. Forty-two of 79 (53%) IMGs responding to the IMG-directed survey reported a median of 30 months (Q1-Q3: 18–48; range: 4–72) of neurosurgical research and 12 published articles (Q1-Q3: 6–24; range: 1–80) before beginning neurosurgical residency. Twenty-two PDs (69%) believed IMGs complete more research than USMGs before residency. Of 20 IMGs conducting dedicated neuroscience/neurosurgery research at the study institution, 16 of 18 who applied matched or entered a US neurosurgical training program; 2 applied and entered a US neurosurgical clinical fellowship.ConclusionThe research work of IMGs compared to USMGs who apply to neurosurgery residency exceeds PDs' expectations regarding scientific output and research time. Many PDs perceive IMG research productivity before residency application as superior to USMGs. Although IMGs comprise a small percentage of trainees, they are responsible for a significant amount of US-published neurosurgical literature. Preresidency IMG research periods may be improved with dedicated mentoring and advising beginning before the research period, during the period, and within a neurosurgery research department, providing a formal structure such as a research fellowship or graduate program for IMGs aspiring to train in the US.

The individual characteristics, organizational characteristics and research productivity of early career LIS researchers in China’s mainland: A crisp set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA)

There existed discrimination, including gender discrimination, first degree discrimination, etc., when assessing the future research productivity of PhD graduates in recruitment in China’s mainland. Were PhD students who did not possess certain conditions (e.g. first degree receiving from a non-key university) unable to achieve high research productivity after graduation? Previous studies focused on the “net effects” of individual and organizational characteristics on research productivity by using quantitative methods (e.g. regression analysis). However, researchers’ research productivity might be due to the interactions of multiple factors rather than a single factor. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the combined conditions (interactions) of individual and organizational characteristics on the research productivity of early career library and information science (LIS) researchers under the context of employment discrimination in the academic job market of China’s mainland. Early career LIS researchers who graduated from China’s mainland universities/institutions between 2011 and 2015 were selected as the sample ( n = 62). csQCA was employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that the effects of a single condition did not directly contribute to the occurrence of high research productivity. There were two combinations of conditions that could contribute to the high research productivity of early career LIS researchers. The first combination that contributed to the high research productivity of an early career LIS researcher was receiving his or her bachelor’s degree from a key university, publishing higher than the median number of articles indexed by Web of Science core collections (WOS) during their PhD and working in a key university after PhD graduation. The second combination was being male, publishing more than the median number of articles indexed by the WOS and the local core journals index during their PhD, and working at a key university after PhD graduation.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2020

The annual collection of graduate student degree completion and research was initiated with an e‐mail to 165 universities and colleges in the United States in June 2021. This invitation requested information on family and consumer sciences graduate programs, specifically degrees and research completed in 2020. Twenty‐five institutions responded reporting a total of 137 master’s theses, 174 doctoral dissertations, and 578 non‐thesis master’s degrees completed in family and consumer sciences in 2020. This article reviews the degree completion as well as trends in topics of theses and dissertations completed within family and consumer sciences programs.

Effects of mentor-mentee discordance on Latinx undergraduates' intent to pursue graduate school and research productivity.

Owing to an undergraduate demographic transition in STEM, Latinx students are likely to work with faculty from different backgrounds when participating in undergraduate research experiences (UREs). However, the effects of mentor-mentee demographic discordance on student STEM development are unclear. This paper examines how mentoring discordance affects Latinx students' intentions to pursue graduate school and research productivity. We collected data from participants in a multiyear, multi-institutional URE program (n=171 dyads), which we analyzed using multivariable generalized estimating equations. Results indicate that compared with gender concordance, gender discordance was associated with a 17% increase in intent to pursue graduate school for Latina students. Compared with racial/ethnic concordance, racial/ethnic discordance was associated with a 38% increase in intent to pursue graduate school for Latino students. When paired with gender discordant mentors, Latina students were 70% less likely to present their URE projects at a professional conference. When faculty mentors were culturally competent and interacted with mentees frequently, Latinx students became more interested in pursuing graduate school. Because mentors from different demographic backgrounds contribute to the development of Latinx STEM students in varied ways, URE program directors should integrate opportunities for multiple mentorships.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2019

In June 2020, representatives at 166 universities and colleges in the United States were contacted requesting information on family and consumer sciences graduate programs, specifically completed thesis and dissertation titles. Twenty‐five universities and colleges responded reporting a total of 214 theses, 195 dissertations, and 409 non‐thesis master’s degrees completed in family and consumer sciences. Historically, the field of family and consumer sciences has researched interdisciplinary topics with the goal of improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The topics highlighted by the submitted titles demonstrate that this historical tradition is still true as it relates to graduate student research.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2018

Representatives at 164 universities and colleges in the United States were contacted in June 2019 requesting information on theses and dissertations from family and consumer sciences graduate programs. A total of 33 universities and colleges responded to the request reporting 250 theses, 167 dissertations, and 682 non‐thesis master’s degrees were completed in the area of family and consumer sciences from the reporting universities and colleges. Graduate research topics continue to include the breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary nature of the field of family and consumer sciences and the ability of our research to improve lives.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2017

Between June and August 2018, requests to collect the titles and authors of theses and dissertations were sent to representatives in family and consumer sciences programs at 168 universities and colleges in the United States. A total of 286 theses and 200 dissertations were reported from 32 universities and colleges. The largest numbers of thesis titles were in Nutrition and Dietetics while the largest numbers for dissertations were in Human Development (including Gerontology). Research was broad, including all specialties within family and consumer sciences, but key themes included the following: wellness, public policy issues, prevention and improvement of health, global perspectives, and technology. Additionally, 687 master's degrees to students with non‐thesis options were awarded from 21 reporting universities and colleges. This annual review continues to be a resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in family and consumer sciences as it suggests potential research opportunities for graduate students and early career researchers.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2016

Between May and June 2017, requests to collect the titles and authors of theses and dissertations were sent to representatives in family and consumer sciences programs at 168 universities and colleges in the United States. A total of 259 theses and 194 dissertations were reported from 35 universities and colleges. The largest numbers of thesis titles were in Nutrition and Dietetics while the largest numbers of titles for dissertations were in Institution, Hotel, and Restaurant Management. Consistent with the body of knowledge in family and consumer sciences, the following topics were key themes in the titles: wellness, sustainability, technology, global perspectives, and community engagement. In addition, 24 universities and colleges reported granting 655 master's degrees to students with nonthesis options. This review continues to be a resource for researchers, practitioners, and students of family and consumer sciences programs as it highlights potential research opportunities for graduate students and early career researchers.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2015

Requests were sent to representatives of 147 universities and colleges with family and consumer science programs in April 2016 to collect the titles and authors of theses and dissertations completed in 2015. Representatives from 35 universities responded, reporting a total of 484 theses and dissertations. Of those, 310 were theses and 174 were dissertations. The greatest number of titles reported was in Nutrition and Dietetics for both theses and dissertations. An additional 444 master's students completed nonthesis options reported by 21 of the participating universities. The adviser's name (if provided by the school) is included with the entry for each graduate degree. Emerging topics for research included sustainability, sports nutrition, global studies, and parenting.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2014

Requests to collect the titles of theses and dissertations completed in 2014 were sent to representatives of 140 universities and colleges with family and consumer science programs in April 2015. Representatives from 44 universities responded, reporting a total of 533 theses and dissertations. Of those titles, 356 were for theses and 177 were for dissertations. The greatest number of titles reported for theses was in Nutrition and Dietetics and for dissertations was in Marriage and Family Therapy. An additional 842 master's students completed nonthesis options reported by 22 of the participating universities.

Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Theses and Dissertations, 1913–2013

This article includes titles of theses and dissertations completed by master's and doctoral students in Extension family and consumer sciences between the years 1913 and 2013. A total of 486 studies in Extension family and consumer sciences from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Extension in 34 countries during the last 100 years are listed. The titles were not included in the annual list of graduate research productivity published in the December 2014 issue of the Family and Consumer Sciences Journal (or in earlier annual lists) probably because these studies were conducted in agriculture, history, education, and other academic departments.

Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2013

Requests were sent in April 2014 to representatives of 151 universities and colleges with family and consumer science programs. The purpose was to collect the titles and authors of theses and dissertations completed in 2013. Thirty‐nine universities responded and they reported a total of 480 theses and dissertations. Of the 480 titles, 307 titles were for theses and 173 titles were for dissertations. The largest number of titles reported for master's theses was in Nutrition and Dietetics. The largest number of titles reported for dissertations was in Family Relations. In addition, 21 of the 39 universities stated that 282 master's students completed nonthesis options in 2013.

Editor's Comments: Developing our Authors

The author, editor of the publication, looks at the developmental approach to peer review of academic articles, described as practices which focus not only on evaluating or identifying weaknesses in an article but on providing guidance to the original author on how the article can be improved and on how he or she can become a better scholar. She contrasts effective developmental reviewing with practices she considers ineffective including ghostwriting the article. Other topics include the role of developmental reviewing in expanding inclusion and diversity in an academic field and its benefits for long-time as well as young scholars.

The Research Productivity of New PhDs in Economics: The Surprisingly High Non-Success of the Successful

We study the research productivity of new graduates from North American PhD programs in economics from 1986 to 2000. We find that research productivity drops off very quickly with class rank at all departments, and that the rank of the graduate departments themselves provides a surprisingly poor prediction of future research success. For example, at the top ten departments as a group, the median graduate has fewer than 0.03 American Economic Review (AER)–equivalent publications at year six after graduation, an untenurable record almost anywhere. We also find that PhD graduates of equal percentile rank from certain lower-ranked departments have stronger publication records than their counterparts at higher-ranked departments. In our data, for example, Carnegie Mellon's graduates at the 85th percentile of year-six research productivity outperform 85th percentile graduates of the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, and Berkeley. These results suggest that even the top departments are not doing a very good job of training the great majority of their students to be successful research economists. Hiring committees may find these results helpful when trying to balance class rank and place of graduate in evaluating job candidates, and current graduate students may wish to re-evaluate their academic strategies in light of these findings.

A Century of Graduate Research Productivity in Extension Family and Consumer Sciences

A Century of Graduate Research Productivity in Extension Family and Consumer Sciences