Get involved in research

The MSU Model of Health Extension demonstrates effectiveness in utilizing and leveraging the Cooperative Extension system at a Land Grant University where there is also a community-based medical school. Our Extension professionals can help scientists and residents get involved in more research opportunities. Whether you are an MSU Extension faculty or staff member, a national Cooperative Extension colleague looking for mulit-state opportunites, another university researcher outside of MSU, or community group or member.

 

Are You Research & Partnership Ready?

In 2015, the Extension professionals associated with the MSU Model of Health Extension designed, implemented and evaluated a 5-hour workshop called “Are You Research Ready”. This professional development opportunity prepares Extension staff to participate in community-based human health research with university faculty. The training covers steps of the research process, responsible conduct of research and how to communicate with researchers for grant inclusion. The workshop includes activities and facilitates discussions related to conducting community-based research with scholarship. After participating in the workshop, Extension educators indicated they had a better understanding of the research process from beginning to end, and because of this workshop they will explore future human health research opportunities. Attendees reported gaining a self-assessment of research readiness as an educator, and now feel confident to position themselves for inclusion in research grants. Only one-third of participants had ever utilized an IRB (institutional review board) process for research prior to the workshop. As a result, next steps for many attendees included getting ready for projects by passing the required educational modules to obtain current IRB certification. Due to the popularity of this program, the team then created, implemented and evaluated a companion workshop titled "Are You Partnership Ready?". 

Eschbach, C. L., Tiret, H., Carter, E., & Newkirk, C. (2019). Preparing Extension educators for community-based research and grant partnerships. Journal of Extension. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol57/iss6/12

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