Programs & Activities

Core Foundations in Education Research (CoFER)

Questions

1. What is Core Foundations in Education Research (CoFER)?
2. What are the program objectives?
3. What is the format for the program?
4. How much is it?
5. Eligibility
6. How do I apply?
7. Application Deadline

What is Core Foundations in Education Research (CoFER)?

This certificate program is aimed at health professionals interested in further developing their understanding of the foundations of health professions education research. Participants will enter the program with either a new project idea, data from an existing project or with an idea for a paper. By the end of the program it is expected that participants will have made significant progress on their initial idea/project (e.g. completed a study, produced a draft of a manuscript for publication, submitted a grant)..

The curriculum includes both interactive workshops and research coaching sessions. Participants will have 1 year to complete the coaching and assignment requirements and a maximum of 2 years to complete the workshop requirements in order to receive the Continuing Education Certificate of Completion.

What are the program objectives?

At the end of the program participants will have developed understanding in the following four areas of education research:

1. Conceptualization

2. Fieldwork

3. Analysis

4. Dissemination

What is the format of the program?

Participants will be expected to attend 1 mandatory half day session as part of the program orientation as well as complete 26 elective workshop hours and attend 14 hours of coaching group participation. Participants must also complete 2 marked assignments. Participants will have 2 years to complete the workshop requirements but must complete the coaching hours and assignments within 1 academic year.

Research Coaching

Participants will be assigned to coaching groups of 4 - 8 people with a pair of research experts to facilitate their learning during the program.

Coaching groups will meet monthly September to June for 1.5 - 2 hours. During these sessions participants will bring their work for ongoing review and discussion with the facilitators and their peers.

The groups may also address topics, such as:

• Critical appraisal of articles and abstracts
• Grant writing
• Managing budgets and hiring research assistants
• Developing and an opportunity to presentations
• Research career counselling

Workshops

Workshops will be offered throughout the academic year. Most workshops will be 3 to 3.5 hours long and will take place during the day throughout the work week.

Workshop topics to include (subject to change):

• Find It ALL: How to Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search
• Assessing your Research Impact
• Qualitative Data Collection: Interviews and Focus Groups
• Qualitative Data Collection: Observations and Text Analysis
• How to do a Good Research Survey
• Qualitative Analysis: Grounded Theory
• Experimental Design and Basic Statistics
• Quantitative Analysis: Measurement Theory
• Writing for Publication

...and more!

Assignments

Each Core Foundations in Education Research (CoFER) participant is expected to complete two assignments in order to successful complete the program.

Assignment #1

A short outline (1-2 pages) of a proposed research project which the participant intends to complete. These outlines will provide an overview of the project (e.g. annotated bibliography, literature review, research protocol, development of a survey tool) and details about key activities (e.g. possible search terms, details on survey piloting) and key milestones. Expected date of submission: February 2013

Assignment #2

Building upon the first assignment, participants will produce the completed research project or product which they previously outlined (e.g. annotated bibliography, research protocol, manuscript for publication, survey tool, etc). Assignment criteria may vary depending on the type of submission, and will be negotiated and agreed upon with the coaches. Expected date of submission: June, 2013

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How much is it?

Program Cost:

Faculty Member, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael's Hospital Staff- $2600
Faculty Member, University of Toronto, Other Health Science Faculties and TASHN Hospital Staff - $2850
Staff/Faculty Member - Other Institutions/Universities/Non-TASHN Hospitals - $3100

Eligibility

Applicants should be interested and committed to research in the field of education. Applicants should also able to articulate a vision for how they will use what they’ve learned in CoFER to contribute to education research in their department/institution. Applicants must have written support from their department chair or designate for their participation in the program. Prior exposure to education research or scholarship is desired.

How do I apply?

The CoFER program is now accepting applications for the 2012 cohort.

Application requirements and form

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Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2012 cohort is April 23, 2012

Questions? Contact: