Research assistantship experiences and subsequent research productivity

This paper is an examination of one component of research training programs, the research assistantship. Data are presented from a national study of the topic. Results of a survey with 3,963 respondents showed that genuine research assistantship experience is positively related to subsequent research involvement and productivity. More intensive data collection from the 50 most productive researchers and 50 nonproductive respondents resulted in identification of 35 variables that discriminate between the two groups (4 structural, 19 experiential, 4 supervisor-assistant interactions, and 8 perceptual). Clusters of variables resulting from factor analysis are presented and nondiscriminating variables are discussed. Recommendations are offered for designers and directors of programs in colleges and universities for use in training educational research personnel.