The SRA Symposium - College of Medicine

Perceptions of Research Administrators on the Value of Certification
Thomas J. Roberts
Assistant Vice President for Research
Florida Gulf Coast University
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
10501 FGCU Blvd., South
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
239-590-7021
troberts@fgcu.edu
Author Note
This paper was developed by the author based on his doctoral dissertation research in the Department
of Educational Research, Technology, and Leadership in the College of Education at the University
of Central Florida. Sincere appreciation is extended to Dr. Jess House who was the Chair of
the dissertation committee and who provided a great deal of support, encouragement, and guidance
to the author in regard to this study. Sincere thanks are also extended to Florida Gulf Coast
University for awarding the author a grant in partial support of this research.
Abstract
The professional field of research administration faces critical challenges in maintaining and
cultivating a talented group of skilled administrators in the new millennium. Universities have
created increasingly complex bureaucracies to manage the dramatic rise in research funding and
the complicated legal and regulatory requirements associated with receiving funding for research
(Hanson & Moreland, 2004). As a result, the number of people employed in the field of research
administration has increased. The value of certification in the field of research administration is not
known. This study sought to determine whether those who have attained the Certificate in Research
Administration (CRA) perceive a benefit to their careers and why most research administrators do
not attempt certification. The primary research question studied is concerned with the relationship
between perceived value of the CRA to research administration professionals and demographic
characteristics. No research is available concerning the value of research administrators becoming
certified through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC). This study will help
to determine to what degree research administration professionals value certification, and will help
in determining the perceived value of certification to different groups of research administrators.
An analysis of the data will be provided and implications for future practice will discussed.
Delimitations and Limitations
Papers
The study is delimited to research administrators based in the Southeastern region of the United
States as defined by the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). This
sample population was selected because the author is well known in this region due to previously
held leadership positions attained as a result of membership voting, presentations made at various
meetings, and participation in numerous other activities involving regional membership. It
was anticipated that response rate to the survey administered would likely yield the best results if
the aforementioned population was utilized. An additional delimitation pertains to the half of the
sample population that has achieved certification because in order to be included in the study the
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) must have achieved certification prior to February 1, 2005.
This study is limited since it is assumed respondents will answer the survey questions honestly.
Furthermore, the accuracy and currency of the records obtained from the NCURA, SRA, and
RACC could not be controlled.
2005 Symposium Proceedings Book 221