Hone Your Research Skills
It is important to understand how to conduct independent and original research using appropriate research methods, how to advance your computer and data analysis skills for use within and beyond your discipline, and how to apply standards for responsible research conduct.
Tips & Tricks
Information Literacy
Explore Information Literacy Resources
Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information” (American Library Association, Presidential Committee on Information Literacy) . Albertsons Library’s librarians and staff teach information literacy and research skills to Boise State University students via instruction and instructional resources. Check out resources from the Albertsons Library:
Professional Ethics in Research
Responsible (and Ethical) Conduct of Research (RCR)
Responsible (and ethical) conduct of research “is defined as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research” (NOT-OD-10-019).
Work with your mentor to understand how to give credit through citations, and about granting of permissions for use of material covered by copyright. Your mentor will also guide you in the use of appropriate research methods, analysis of results, and open data sharing. You can also explore course offerings in experimental design, data analysi,s and reproducibility of data (both within and beyond your discipline)
Deciding who gets authorship and co-authorship on scientific communication (papers and presentations) can be tricky. Open discussions about this with your mentor is important to ensure that the appropriate people get credit. It is critical that all co-authors on projects have the opportunity to comment on all submissions (this includes abstract submissions for meetings).
Also, look for opportunities to participate in workshops that address research ethics and the responsible conduct of research during your graduate program.
Office of Research Compliance, Responsible (and Ethical) Conduct of Research
CITI Training
The university uses the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program to deliver a variety of online courses, including RCR training. CITI offers a number of discipline-focused RCR courses, although the content is similar, if not the same. Users must create a CITI account and self-assign training. CITI also generates completion certificates that can be useful for tracking purposes. Information about CITI is available on the Office of Research Compliance’s CITI page.
GCOLL 505 Responsible Conduct of Research
GCOLL 505 Responsible Conduct of Research is a course led by the Office of Research Compliance that focuses on basic concepts, principles, and practices governing research compliance and RCR in each of four disciplinary areas (one area chosen by each student): biomedical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, physical sciences and engineering, humanities. Each area includes an overview of research conduct and misconduct, data acquisition and management, responsible authorship, peer review, mentoring, conflicts of interest, collaborative research, human subjects, and animal research. Online materials are produced by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). Lectures will cover the online materials and related case studies and other areas of research compliance ,including patents, intellectual properties, non-disclosure agreements, and sponsored projects. Individuals interested in using or taking this course should contact orc@boisestate.edu for further information.
Consult with the Office of Research Compliance
The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) at Boise State University aids students in certain areas of research and some academic activities to comply with federal, state, and local laws/regulations as well as certain sponsor requirements and University policies.
Data Analysis and Management and Computing
Explore the course and workshop offerings and services below to develop your skills in data analysis, computer and data management.
Data Management Services
Data Management Services assists Boise State University researchers with the management, organization and curation of research data. Schedule a consultation with the Research Data Management Group and explore data management resources and training.
Research Computing Days
During Research Computing Days at Boise State University a wealth of workshops in data management and computing are offered. Stay tuned for the next opportunity to participate!
Get research computing support
Research Computing Office Hours
Puzzles about python? Big data too big? HPC feeling like a hassle? Come to Research Computing Services office hours! Our staff will be available to help with any questions, issues, or errors.
Research support in Data Management: Storage, Sharing, and Publishing
At Boise State University, work with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to find storage solutions for data sets of all sizes, to transfer and share data, and to publish your data in collaboration with the Albertsons Library data management team.
Data Wrangling, Programming, & Source Control
Consult with research computing support to compile, discover, and analyze data for more efficient and accurate research.
Node Buy-in Program
Boise State’s Node Buy-in Program affords researchers a low-cost, flexible way to own computing resources without having to purchase and maintain standalone systems.
Grant Support for your Computing Needs
Get help developing grant proposals with computing components in areas such as equipment acquisition, research, allocations on high-performance computing (HPC) systems, education, training, institutional activities (e.g., workshops and conferences), and basic research.
High Performance Computing
Get support for the several HPC resources.
Grant Writing
Explore online resources on grant writing
The following resources from the Chronicle of Higher Education provide useful information and considerations for grant writing:
- “10 Tips on Grant Writing From a Seasoned Reviewer”, by Jude P. Mikal
- “On Grant-Writing: Just What Are Your Project’s ‘Specific Aims’?”, by Jude P. Mikal
- “10 Tips for Successful Grant Writing”, by Lisa Chasan-Taber
- “10 Common Grant-Writing Mistakes”, by Jude P. Mikal
- “Grant-Writing Tips for Graduate Students”, by Lisa Patrick Bentley
- “How to Fail in Grant Writing”, by Elizabeth Jakob et al.
- “How to Write an Outreach Grant Proposal”, by Karen M. Markin.
Work with the Division of Research and Economic Development
Applying for research funding is an essential element of graduate education, and there are many funding opportunities available for graduate students. Obtaining funding during your graduate program will elevate your research projects and is an important asset to your CV. While your mentor will be able to guide you through the writing process, the Center for Research and Creative Activity (CRCA) hosts workshops that focus on graduate fellowships to help you prepare your submission. Most do not, but if the fellowship has a requirement to run through the university, it will be submitted through the PreAward Unit of the Office of Sponsored Programs.
CRCA also opens their suite of yearly faculty development opportunities to doctoral students and postdocs and these programs are in the areas of Team Science training, Design-Thinking methodologies for translational research, a Project Management Fellowship, developing a research agenda, assessment and evaluation, and other rotating topics.
Current and Past Workshops and Events
Asynchronous Training is available to graduate students via Canvas. Topics are actively being added, so check back often.