Open Access Kent State (OAKS)

The purpose of this study was to examine whether gender is associated with hospitality undergraduates' perceived career barriers and how gender affects two career-related variables (career decision self-efficacy and tendency to foreclose) when considering internal or external career barriers. Results revealed that female and male students perceived career barriers differently: Females were more sensitive to gender issues than males, whereas males were less likely to explore their career options as fully as females. Implications and recommendations for hospitality educators and career advising are included in this study.

Strategic redirection of a university's mission to focus on research is challenging. This article describes an approach to developing a culture of research in a school of nursing (SON) in a nonacademic health center university. Infrastructure changes and committed mentors were developed to move a dormant research culture into one characterized by a growing dynamism of camaraderie and espirit de corps about research and scholarly productivity. To sustain the momentum, a rapid mentor-faculty feedback loop was created so that within a 48-hour time frame, the mentor provided feedback to the faculty member. Timely and iterative feedback prompted discussions that led to more scientifically rigorous proposals and publications. Tailored approaches were adopted for junior and senior faculty. In the first academic year using this approach, publications increased by 144%, and grant proposal submissions increased by 169%, whereas presentations shifted toward more regional and national venues. The increased productivity was maintained over the next 2 years. Building and sustaining a culture of success in research require leadership and vigilance, infrastructure changes, and process-oriented initiatives.

“Developing Acceptable Evidence in Educational Technology Research” (Schrum et al., 2005) and its precursor editorial, “A Proactive Approach to a Research Agenda for Educational Technology” (Bull, Knezek, Roblyer, Schrum, & Thompson, 2005), are unprecedented collaborative efforts by journal editors to influence research in our field. This response aims to highlight the inherent complexity within each of the four main issues addressed by Schrum et. al. and to expand the conversation. We appreciate both the editors' efforts to be proactive with the problems and solutions as well as their open invitation to comment on their ideas for advancing the field. We look forward to continued dialogue.