Research and Evaluation

Overview

The Research and Evaluation section provides services in the areas of research and evaluation of projects funded through the Mississippi Department of Education. This section is organized with a coordinator, research specialist, quality assurance specialist, and graduate research assistants.

The coordinator serves as the liaison between the RCU and the sponsoring agencies, local education agencies, and/or business and industry and plans, develops, and coordinates the RCU research agenda. He determines the scope and methodologies of research projects. He develops policies and procedures used in conducting and administering research activities. He ensures the publication of research findings in reports, and/or trade and refereed journals, professional magazines, white papers, presentations, or other publication venues of interest. He is the primary expert for consultation and technical assistance to RCU faculty and staff with grant proposals, research dissertations, research presentations, and Institutional Review Board applications. He supervises specialists and graduate assistants and provides oversight of all products and services.

The research specialists are responsible for the collection, compilation, analysis, and maintenance of confidential and sensitive data with integrity for all research projects. They assist RCU faculty and staff in the use of research data and statistical software packages. They assist RCU faculty and staff in the design, execution, and evaluation of research projects including literature reviews, surveys, interviews, focus groups, data integration, analysis, and reporting.

The quality assurance specialist is responsible for all RCU activities involving quality assurance and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements; she conducts audits and reviews/analyzes data and documentation. She has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of workforce education, training, and research.

Graduate research assistants are students who assist the Coordinator in all activities performed in the section.