UROP Project

Reading, Early Childhood, Elementary Schools, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Mixed Methods
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Research Mentor: Dr. Denise L. Dennis, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: FCRR, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: DLDennis@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Jenny Root
Faculty Collaborators Email: jrroot@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors- more relevant for education, psych, com/dis, ed leadership, etc.
Project Location: FSU campus and possibly various local schools
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7 hours,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3rd, 3:00-3:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Wednesday, September 4th, 7:30-8:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Thursday, September 5th, 2:00-2:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Friday, September 6th, 4:30-5:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis

Project Description

We are conducting a muti-phase mixed methods study of how UFLI, an early literacy reading program, has been implemented in local elementary schools. UFLI is a literacy curriculum meant for Kindergarten -2nd grade students from the University of Florida that has taken the education world by storm. It is being implemented in a wide variety of way across the nation and internationally (Australia in particular). Additionally, we are investigating the role that a research practice partnership with this district played in supporting this implementation. This study provides opportunities to learn about qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs.

Research Tasks: tasks associated with data collection and analysis, attend meetings, support the literature review process.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: All required-
attention to detail
timeliness
knowledge of Google and Microsoft tools
communication skills
clerical skills
willingness and desire to learn

Mentoring Philosophy

As a researcher, I believe that team science creates a better final outcome. Mentoring provides an opportunity to co-create trusting, respectful, relationships that foster growth, development of self-determination skills, and improve the quality of research. I think it is critical to work with mentees to support them in developing skills that they value. Self-discipline and attention to detail are important when setting and meeting timelines and priorities, so working collaboratively to establish timelines and expectations, and learning why bringing your whole self to your work makes for a richer more complex experience. As a mentor, I value diversity, communication, willingness to fail forward, and an understanding of the immense responsibility and rewards that come with being entrusted to work with participants for the purpose of research. Mentees should have the opportunity to explore areas of interest, build knowledge about research, and develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Mentoring can provide a facilitated exploration into areas of research that mentees have had little to no experience with previously and an introduction to research topics that they may not have the opportunity to discover independently. Ultimately, co-creating knowledge is the goal of both research and mentoring, and collaboration makes our research and us all better.

Additional Information


Link to Publications


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