The Prevention Research Lab is looking for undergraduate research assistants!
The Prevention Research Lab, operated by Dr. Keryn E. Pasch in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, is searching for fall undergraduate research assistants. Undergraduate research assistants (URAs) will work one or more of several projects: 1) Outdoor MEDIA II, 2) Coding Food Outlets, 3) Transcribing Qualitative Interviews, 4) Coding of Magazine Advertising, and 5) Tobacco Marketing to Youth and Young Adults.
- Outdoor MEDIA II
This project will use objectively collected data to document outdoor food, beverage, alcohol, and tobacco advertising in the Travis County area. This project is in collaboration with sites in California and Minnesota. Data collectors will use electronic tools to document and code advertising and marketing. For this position, a flexible schedule with at least four hour blocks of time available during the day is required. Data collectors will go out to site to collect the data and also be required to work in the lab to code the collected data.
- Coding Food Outlets And Menus
This project will involve coding previously collected data on food outlets located near Austin area middle schools. For this project, URAs will use their nutrition knowledge and detailed coding protocols to code all outlets for items such as type, category, and food sold. In addition, URAs will collect and code menus of selected restaurants based on a vegetable-centered menu analysis tool. Similarly, this task will require URAs to use their nutrition knowledge and detailed coding protocol. Results of this project will provide a novel way to examine the food environment near schools based on both outlet type as well as foods sold. Nutrition background is required for this project.
- Transcribing Community Nutrition Interviews
This project will involve transcribing and coding qualitative interviews that were conducted with key staff members of Austin area community nutrition programs. This project aims to determine what current best practices and biggest challenges are for community nutrition programs. For this project, URAs will need basic computer skills for transcribing interviews, critical thinking skills for creating themes and codes based on responses of participants, as well as basic knowledge of community nutrition programs. Nutrition background a plus.
- Coding of Magazine Advertisements
This project will involve the coding of advertisements, including alcohol, food, and beverage, found in several popular magazines for content. Tasks will include creation of a data collection template, coding of the magazines, and basic data management.
- Tobacco Marketing to Youth and Young Adults
These projects are part of a large center grant. One component is a project focused on e-cigarette advertising on television, and uses eye-tracking technology and quantitative surveys, to better understand the influence of television commercials on 100 college students. Students will help administer the study protocol with the college students, code and enter data, and assist with other research tasks as needed. For this position, a flexible schedule with at least four hour blocks of time available is preferred, this may include evenings. Other components of this project may include working with Filemaker, a database program, to create data collection templates as well as other activities to support the projects within the center.
Additional research opportunities such as literature searching and data summaries may be available.
REQUIREMENTS:
A flexible schedule with at least 3-4 hour blocks of available time on two to three days a week is preferred.
Prior research experience is preferred.
Nutrition research credit (NTR355) and Bridging Disciplines (BDP 320) credit is offered through the Prevention Research Lab – please let us know if you are considering research credit when you contact us.
If you are interested in joining the Prevention Research Lab as an undergraduate research assistant this fall, please complete the application (link below) and return it, along with a resume, to Ana Herrera (Ana.L.Herrera@uth.tmc.edu) for additional information or to set up an interview.
Application: Call for URAs – Fall 2014[3]