| Abstract/Notes |
Background: Life University recently shifted its research activities from a highly centralized “research center” structure into a more decentralized, inclusive structure that seeks to encourage and support widespread faculty involvement in research and scholarly activities. An effort is underway to tie promotion, rank, and tenure to these activities. In an effort to facilitate this process, a survey was conducted to determine faculty’s attitudes towards the conduct of research and scholarly activity. Methods:A survey was designed and distributed to faculty during a faculty workweek. There were 13 items that surveyed the faculty on their attitudes in the following areas: knowledge of the shift in research and scholarly activities; attitudes towards research and scholarly activity; likelihood that they would participate in research and scholarly endeavors; and attitudes towards tying promotion, rank and tenure to these activities. Results:Surveys were returned by 88/120 faculty members. Analysis of the survey response data revealed that the majority of faculty were not familiar with the shift in research and scholarly activities, though the majority are committed to engaging in such efforts. The majority of the faculty also felt that research and scholarly activities should be considered during promotion, rank and tenure decisions. Discussion: Issues of participation in scholarship, how it is defined and compensated are ongoing and contentious issues within academia. The literature suggests that chiropractic programs have failed to produce opportunities for faculty as researchers and some advocate for greater institutional and professional support of research within the schools and the profession. Others have discussed the issues of institutional support for the conduct of scholarship. The role of research, service and scholarly activity embodied by the institution’s mission plays a key role in empowering faculty and encouraging a commitment on the part of faculty to engage in the work of the institution. The contention is that empowered and committed faculty will identify with the mission, values, and goals of the institution and will want to maintain membership in it. It is further hoped that a successful outcome at this institution could serve as an example for other institutions struggling with similar issues. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. |
