The School-Based Aggression & Bullying Prevention Team in the Center for Violence Prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is seeking Student Research Assistants for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Eligible candidates must:
- Be undergraduate (junior or senior) OR graduate level students in psychology, public health, education, health sciences, or related fields in social/behavioral sciences
- Commit to volunteering approximately 2 days a week (~14 hours) minimum, during data collection
- Data collection periods: October – December, January – March, April – early June
- Schedule changes between fall and spring semesters will be accommodated
- Secure own transportation to/from participating Philadelphia public schools and the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research (travel cost will be partially reimbursed).
The Projects:
Student Research Assistants will support two clinical trials, federally-funded by the National Institute of Health: The Friend to Friend (F2F) with Coaching Project and The Bullying Classroom Check Up (BCCU) Project.
F2F is designed to address relational aggression (e.g., using gossip, rumors, social exclusion to hurt others and manipulate peer relationships) among 4th and 5th grade girls and their classmates. The program includes a counselor-led small group for relationally aggressive girls (and prosocial role models), and teacher-led classroom lessons that extend the program to girls’ peers and provides girls with a positive leadership role. Over five years, 20 schools will be randomized to receive the intervention & 20 schools will be randomized to the control condition. In all schools, students, counselors, teachers, and parents complete surveys, 2x per school year.
BCCU is a teacher-consultation program that coaches teachers to leverage evidence-based classroom management strategies, trauma-informed instructional practice, and PBIS approaches to detect, prevent, and respond to bullying and aggression in the classroom. Coaching helps teachers meet specific data-based goals that foster a safe and robust Social and Emotional Learning environment. Over four years, 16 schools will be randomized to participate in the intervention condition & the control condition. In all schools, classroom observations will be conducted, and teachers and students complete surveys 2x in year 1, and 1x in year 2.
Student Research Assistant Responsibilities:
- Work collaboratively with a dynamic team of Coordinators, Coaches, and Research Assistants
- Consent participants (students, counselors, teachers)
- Administer electronic surveys to students in School District of Philadelphia elementary schools
- Assist with data collection from counselors, teachers, and parents
- Conduct classroom observations and monitor fidelity of small group and classroom interventions
- Participate in documentation & tracking procedures, data entry, verification, cleaning and/or scoring
- Learn database management systems, including Excel, REDcap, and SPSS
- Prepare and organize assessment packets, intervention materials, & supplies
Successful candidates will:
- Have a minimum GPA of3.5
- Have prior school-based and/or research experience (preferred)
- Be a highly reliable team player, with excellent time management skills and a strong work ethic
- Pass a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprinting, per CHOP’s requirements
- Have up to date immunization records & complete a 2-step PPD tuberculosis skin test
Please Note: This is an unpaid/volunteer position. Supervisors will work with students to fulfill requirements for internship coursework, if needed.