Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Establishing a research culture in the absence of
postgraduate research programmes in a tertiary educational
institution. Poster Presentation
Dr. Willem Fourie PhD; M.Cur; B.Cur; RN
Research Leader: Department of Nursing and Health Studies
Manukau Institute of Technology
Private Bag 94006
South Auckland Mail Centre
Manukau 2240
New Zealand
+64 9 9688606
wifourie@manukau.ac.nz
Background and context
The traditional research top-up funding in tertiary education in New
Zealand has been replaced by a Performance Based Research Fund
(PBRF). All tertiary educational institutions may compete for this
fund by submitting the portfolios of their individual researchers.
Portfolios were considered by expert panels and researchers were
graded from A to C whereby A would receive the most funding and
C the least funding. With the exception of 2 institutions, the
polytechnic sector initially opted out of the PBRF as it felt that the
system was heavily favouring universities. Three years on, in 2006
most polytechnics decided to opt into the PBRF and submitted
portfolios of individual researchers.
Aim
The Department of Nursing and Health Sciences at Manukau
Institute of Technology is faced with the challenge of developing a
research culture for the 2011 PBRF round in the absence of a
postgraduate research environment. In addition to nominated
research outputs, staff must also develop their peer esteem and
their contribution to the research environment.
Method
A research leader was appointed; research priorities were identified
and a robust research plan was developed. A research committee
was established and a research policy and incentive scheme was
developed. Research was integrated into staff’s professional
development while research funds are invested in key staff
members to develop their research portfolios for the 2011 PBRF
round.
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