“Friend to Friend: Effectiveness When Conducted by School Staff”
The Project:
This research project is federally-funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to test the effectiveness of the Friend to Friend (F2F) with Coaching Program through a 40 school clinical trial. F2F is designed to address relational aggression (e.g., using gossip, rumors and social exclusion to hurt others and manipulate peer relationships) among 4th and 5th grade girls and their classmates. The program includes counselor-led small group sessions 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 the intervention (full F2F program) and 20 schools will be randomized to the control condition (staff professional development and parent workshops). In all 40 schools, students, counselors, teachers, and parents will complete a series of questionnaires, 2x per school year (fall and spring).
Undergraduate Research Assistant Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with intervention coach and report to research coordinator and study manager
- Develop and maintain partnerships with participating schools
- Consent research participants (students, counselors, teachers)
- Administer pre- and post-intervention assessment batteries to students
- Assist with data collection from counselors, teachers, and parents
- Conduct observations of small group and classroom interventions
- Participate in documentation and tracking procedures
- Assist with scheduling and school check-ins
- Participate in data entry, verification, cleaning and/or scoring
- Learn database management systems, including Excel, REDcap, and SPSS
- Prepare and organize assessment packets, intervention materials & supplies
- Attend research team training sessions and meetings
Logistics of Position
- This position is for the duration of the 2022-2023 academic year. All are welcome to apply, with preference given to candidates who can commit to assist during data collection (October – December, and April – early June).
- Commit to volunteering approximately 2 days and/or 16 hours/week minimum (addt. hours welcome)
- Must have own transportation to/from the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research and participating Philadelphia public schools (travel cost will be partially reimbursed)
Successful candidates for this position will:
- Be current undergraduate students (junior or senior preferred) in public health, psychology, education, health sciences, or related fields in social/behavioral sciences
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.5
- Be highly reliable and have excellent organizational and time management skills
- Have a strong work ethic and be a team player
- Prior school-based and/or research experience preferred
- Pass a criminal background check, child abuse clearance and FBI fingerprinting per CHOP’s requirements
- Have up to date immunization records and complete a 2-step PPD skin test to screen for tuberculosis
Please note this is an unpaid/volunteer position. Supervisors will work with undergraduates to fulfill requirements for any internship coursework, if needed.
If interested in this experience:
Email: Stephanie Tuman, Clinical Research Project Manager (tumans@chop.edu)
Please include: 1) Current resume or CV; 2) Cover Letter; 3) Transcript, unofficial version is acceptable