The Results-Oriented Research Workplace

Research jobs, whether studying products, conducting tests or recording observations, are involved in a lot of detail. When research people are so engrossed in the details of their jobs, it's easy for them, for anyone actually, to lose sight of the job's major contribution.

A Results-Oriented Research Job Description is different from a traditional job description because it focuses an employee on the several job results that answer the question: What results must this research affairs job accomplish for the organization?

Research Job Standards added to job expectations tighten management controls by clarifying how well and when results must be accomplished.

Research Job Objectives establish management and employee plans by highlighting important current and future results needed.

Job-specific Research Employee Management Forms maintain consistent and researchly sound management actions by basing manager-employee interactions on job results.

The Purpose of Research Jobs

Stated in a results-oriented, three-line style, research affairs jobs--

INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS by

studying market research information; preparing research proposals; estimating resources required and cost/benefit relationships; planning and conducting experiments and tests; evaluating milestone conclusions and assumptions; preparing results and conclusions.

Types of Research Jobs

Some research jobs examine consumer needs and conduct basic research to develop products that meets those needs. Other jobs work at improving existing products. Still other jobs conduct rigorous tests on products to ensure that they meet specifications, or work to develop manufacturing processes. And, of course, somebody has to manage and supervise the research people and processes.

Research Job Management Tools

Here are actual job examples of how research affairs job actions can be focused on results and kept on track using each of our job management tools:

Results-Oriented Research Job Descriptions form the foundation of all job management tools. Our uniquely structured job descriptions focus on the result to be accomplished first and prominently, followed by the duties performed in order to accomplish the result. For example,

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Research Job Standards sharpen employee attention and management control by defining and communicating how well the research affairs results must be accomplished and what benchmarks will be used to measure job results. For example, for the job result above, the job standards might be:

• Research situations are correctly understood.
• All options are identified and evaluated.
• Research recommendations are ready when needed.

Research Job Objectives point the direction for employee actions by focusing job efforts on current and future research affairs issues. Job objectives are written in the three-line, results-oriented structure. For example, for the job result above, a job objective might be:

SPEED-UP DECISION MAKING by

reducing time to deliver research affairs recommendations by 10% by (date).

Research Employee Management Forms tied specifically to each research affairs job description are more helpful (and research) than generic forms used for all different kinds of jobs. Job-specific forms are used to state job qualifications, guide job interview questions, orient new employees, plan job training, and appraise job performance.

Research Job Qualifications are stated in the same terms used in the job description. They are not translated into generic (typically behavioral) terms. For example:

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Research Job Interview guide questions are inserted directly below each job result in the job description: For example:

• "What specific job responsibilities have you had in this area?"
• "Where did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "When did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "How did you go about accomplishing these responsibilities?"
• "What accomplishment in this area gave you the most pride?"
• "In this area, what were some of your biggest challenges?"
• "How did you overcome the challenges?"

The Research Job Orientation guide reformats the job description sequence so that job explanations, policies, protocols, processes, and procedures are logical and complete and can easily be checked off. For example:

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Here's the procedure and format we use to analyze and present research affairs recommendations."

The Research Job Training plan guides a thorough examination of actual job knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in the job description that need improvement or that might be enhanced. For example:

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Analytical skills would be improved by enrolling in a statistical analysis class."

The Research Job Performance Appraisal guide is a job-specific form. It is not a universal form used for all jobs. The guide adds an appraisal scale below each job result in the job description so that attention can be drawn to each job requirement and expectation. For example:

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

__ Great! Just want we wanted.
__ We have a problem.
__ Improvement is needed.
__ Much, much more than we asked for.

Comments: _________________

Research Résumé Template

Potential employers want to know what a job applicant has accomplished in his/her research affairs work career. They don't want to be bored with minor details. Our Résumé Template provides:

• an outline to help assemble personal background information.
• a Results-Oriented Job Description to provide the research affairs job language-focused on results-needed to write an effective résumé.
• Research Job Objectives to orient thinking in terms of accomplishments.
• instructions on how to use a Results-Oriented Research Job Description and Research Job Objectives to express job accomplishments.

Use the research affairs job description responsibility statement as a base:

RECOMMENDS RESEARCH ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Select the research affairs job objective that fits your experience:

REDUCE COSTS 10% by

improving research affairs processes.

Combine the two into a résumé statement:

Reduced costs 10% by analyzing, identifying, and recommending new research affairs system controls.

Research Career Links

Association of American Medical Colleges, Career in Medical Research

List of research projects or positions available to medical scientists with advanced degrees., exploring a medical career, making the decision, application and admission timeline, getting into medical school, financial planning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Career in Research

Information and links, explore and plan, find opportunities, graduate schools, research jobs, resources and help.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Careers

Current job openings, career information, recruitment calendar, staff contacts, subscribe to ARS jobs, contact careers, careers frequently asked questions, research projects.

American Psychological Association, Non-Academic Careers for Research-Trained Psychologists

Opportunities in different industries.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Minority Access to Research Careers, Research Training and Career Development

Training and career awards, application and review, specialized programs/opportunities.

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Clinical Research Careers

Breaking into clinical research, industries, opportunities, research topics, ethical consideration, resources.

National Institute of Health, Careers in Science, Women in Research

Stories of women in research.