Center for Research Design and Analysis to aid TWU student and faculty research

Johnna Headley, Reporter

TWU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs opened the Center for Research Design and Analysis on Oct. 20. Senior Statistical Consulting Director Dr. Rene Paulson will head the center, which is located in Stoddard Hall room 105.

The Center for Research Design and Analysis works with student and faculty researchers throughout the entire research process, conducting statistical and qualitative analysis, software training, manuscript preparation, and grant proposal development. Students and faculty, from all disciplines, are invited to utilize this unique space during their research process.

In an email, Paulson said: “It’s important to note the innovativeness of this center, which provides services throughout the entire research process. It is rare for institutions of higher learning to have a center like this one that focuses on the complete research process from design to analysis to dissemination.”

It is not a coincidence that the Center for Research Design and Analysis opened on Oct. 20. Paulson said: “We felt it was important to announce the [opening] on World Statistics Day, as there is a relatively new movement in the statistical consulting field of the importance for statisticians to be more involved in the entire research process.” Within the first week of its opening, the center has already sparked interest in student and faculty researchers.

Paulson said: “[Before the center opened] we worked with faculty providing similar services through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and [focused] primarily [on] quantitative rather than qualitative [research], but we were not a center.”

Paulson added: “The growth of the research at TWU, not just in amount but also in quality and complexity has been very rewarding. I am always motivated by the passion and dedication of the researchers at TWU. TWU’s ability to combine the bench sciences – such as biology and chemistry – with applied research – such as nursing, education, health sciences, family studies and nutrition – is impactful. This new center will support TWU researchers to do even more great research that impacts the community and the world.”

Dr. Paulson received her PH. D. and Masters degree in Experimental Psychology from Texas Christian University and has more than 15 years of qualitative and quantitative experience on the national and state level. Dr. Paulson is also the founder of and consultant for Elite Research, LLC.