Research Common

To connect with the Research Common, send an email to researchcommon@rdpolytech.ca, stop by the Library during in-person drop-in hours, or email the person listed during online drop-in hours for a phone or video meeting. Not sure who you need to connect with? Email us and we'll help you figure it out.

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Anyone on our team can help you in the planning stages of your research project as you work to define your question, and all of us can help you figure out your next step if you're unsure of your question.

Michelle Edwards Thomson is the chair of the Research Common, a librarian, and a member of the Research Ethics Board. She can help with literature searches, publishing and copyright questions, and designing an ethical research project.

Hasina Juma is a research grant specialist with the Office of Research and Scholarship. She can answer questions about grants, including things to consider when applying, the internal approval process, and how to manage a grant including grant reporting requirements.

Dr. Krista Robson is a Sociology instructor and chair of the Research Ethics Board. She can answer questions on designing an ethical research project, qualitative research design and analysis, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects.

Dr. Greg Wells is a Psychology instructor and vice-chair of the Research Ethics Board. He can answer questions about designing an ethical research project, as well as project design and analysis.

Located in the Library, the Research Common is a place where faculty, staff, and students can get assistance with research and scholarly activities. We can offer guidance with:

• getting started on a research project
• connecting with other researchers and/or the community for a project
• designing an ethical research project
• conducting literature searches
• writing a research grant or proposal
• understanding grant requirements (budget, course release, hiring, etc.)
• presenting or publishing research

The Research Common is a collaborative effort, with involvement from the Library, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, the Research Ethics Board, the Research and Scholarship Committee, the Recognition of Scholarly Activity Committee, and Institutional Research. Our planning group is made up of members from those areas and committees and also has student representation:

• Alicia Cafferata-Arnett (Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing)
• Michelle Edwards Thomson (Chair, Research Common)
• Brenda Joyce (Centre for Teaching and Learning)
• Hasina Juma (Office of Research and Scholarship)
• Erin Lowe (Recognition of Scholarly Activity Committee)
• Sandra MacDougall (Sciences)
• Dr. Olga Mameeva (Animal Care Coordinator)
• Dr. Juliet Onabadejo (Nursing)
• Yvonne Phillips (Faculty Professional Development Committee)
• Caitlin Ratcliffe (Library)
• Dr. Krista Robson (Research Ethics Board)
• Dr. Maureen Toews (Associate Vice President, Teaching, Learning & Research)
• Katie Tripp (Institutional Research)
• Dr. Greg Wells (Psychology)
• Dr. Jeff Wigelsworth (Research and Scholarship Committee)