Medical Education
Building Research Achievement in Neuroscience
Formative & Summative Evaluation
Overview
The BRAiN program provides an exciting opportunity for junior and senior undergraduates to perform innovative neuroscience research at the University of Colorado Denver downtown and Anschutz Medical Campuses, and at New Mexico State University. The program aims to raise interest and opportunities in neuroscience research for undergraduate students who are underrepresented in this field.
Evaluation Approach
The evaluation is designed to collect longitudinal data to explore the effectiveness of the training and mentorship, including the participants’ career decisions in research. Evaluators collect data through focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys and observations with students and program leadership. Evaluators conduct quantitative analysis of measures related to the mentorship experience, students’ confidence and skills in lab research, and their overall program satisfaction. The summer focus groups and observation are critical to building relationships and trust with the participants from underrepresented groups while simultaneously allowing evaluators to see the growth in students’ scientific presentation skills. This early involvement in data collection and relationship building helps improve survey response rates and longitudinal tracking.
Timeline
Complete
(2010 – 2021)
POPULATION SERVED
Undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds
Partner Agencies
- New Mexico State University
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado Boulder
Funder
National Institutes of Health