Research administrators must understand who they are and what they do. A metaphor for the research administrator's identity and service mission is proposed: "custodian of the corporate conscience and culture." The role of this administrator is viewed as part of the entire process of learning for the development of generalizable knowledge…

A survey of 80 senior research administrators at public doctorate-granting universities investigated the relationship between the institutions' economic development orientation (new business/technology development; capacity building; human resource development; research/analysis/evaluation) and their level of federal research support. Results…

Basic algebraic formulas for calculating research program budgets are explained, using time-tested examples of cost-sharing, fringe benefit, and indirect cost calculation. The method is suggested as a tool for teaching both novice research administrators and researchers. (MSE)

Argues that research administrators would function more effectively and enjoy their work more with a better understanding of research. Offers examples of how some basic principles of research design can be readily conveyed to administrators with little or no research training. Discusses ways research administrators might benefit from better…

Research administrators must establish and maintain control over discretionary spending, assure all deliverables are completed on time, and assure adequate and controlled funding for grants and contracts. Steps and approaches for accomplishing these tasks are outlined, including planning, tracking, and reporting techniques. (MSE)

After a continuing effort to improve its grant application process, the department of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is submitting many more applications and realizing increased funding. The methods and strategy used to make the process more efficient and effective are outlined. (Author/MSE)

Based on experience in two different university-based social research centers (SRCs), the author discusses factors influencing support for university-based SRCs, the difficulty of transferring research findings from the SRC to the outside world, and how the social context influences the role research administrators play in this type of research…

Key elements of public relations that may apply to the university research environment and lead to greater financial support for research activities are outlined, and examples from the private sector are used to explore the relationships between public relations, organizational growth, and financial stability. Practical suggestions are offered for…

Universities should embrace university/industry relationships because they benefit both the institution and society. As such relationships evolve, the university should continually review its policies. The model used by Wake Forest University (North Carolina) for routinely reviewing research agreements is presented to assist other universities in…

All-inclusive patent and licensing policies of research universities ignore the strengths of individual disciplines and varied needs of industrial sponsors. Some academic units are involved primarily in incremental improvement, while others generate breakthrough developments. Industry also pursues differential innovation patterns. Disciplines…

Argues that to make improvements in sponsored research administration, it is necessary to understand that: it is a system of interdependent components, and improvement requires systematic, highly integrated methods and a holistic view of the role of research administration in the larger research system. Provides a framework for…

Factors in effective research program administration are discussed, and administrators are urged to focus on understanding and supporting what's important, and subordinating all other organizational functions to that; using good managerial skills (effective planning, organization, staffing, delegation of duties, control, creativity, and positive…

Organizational aspects of the Shock Trauma Institute at Loyola University Medical Center (Illinois) are described. The philosophies and conditions that helped determine the institute's organizational structure and success are analyzed, and the institute's role as a multidisciplinary research program is discussed. Structures of the clinical,…

A survey of 49 university and other research administrators investigated attitudes concerning research productivity and measures to assess it. Results are compared with those of an earlier survey of research scientists, including a rank-order comparison of the relative importance of a number of productivity measures. Implications for demonstrating…

Principles of effective research administration originally written over a decade ago are revised to reflect the challenges of a new, technologically advanced, and rapidly changing climate. They now include establishing, communicating, and constantly evaluating the goals of research administration in conjunction with institutional partners;…