UNews - Alberta Centre for Child

5 Questions with Dr. Olu Awosoga

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:49:29 +0000

Dr. Olu Awosoga completed his dissertation on Meta-Analysis of Multiple Baseline Time-Series Design Intervention Models for Dependent and Independent Series. This study developed a traditional meta-type analysis and corresponding robust methodology for multiple baseline series. This is a statistical approach used in applied statistical research to investigate the validity of procedures and power comparisons between parametric and robust methods.

Awosoga joined the Faculty of Health Sciences in July 2009, the same year he completed his doctoral program at Western Michigan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Kalamazoo, MI. He teaches applied statistics courses to undergraduate and graduate students and works with various faculty members as a statistical consultant. He is a co-investigator in the following projects: Moral Distress in the Care of Persons with Alzheimer Disease in Residential Care Facilities; Slave Lake Fire project to investigate the response of families and children – community resiliency; CAETL (now known as the Teaching Centre) project to assess teaching effectiveness in undergraduate applied statistics course.

Awosoga is passionate about using his knowledge in applied statistics to provide simple interpretation of results obtained from data analysis to make sense to the average man – a fundamental basis for his research interests.

Most recently, as a principal investigator, he has applied for several grants through the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research and Workers Compensation Board to investigate the health status of childcare workers in southern Alberta.

Dr. Olu Awosoga takes statistical analysis to another level through unique applications.

What first piqued your interest in your research discipline?

My interest base was first stirred up by a combination of statistical courses I took during my graduate program, in particular, applied statistics in social sciences. I had questions about a data analysis approach used in a journal article where I first discovered the word 'meta analysis.' So, I decided to learn more about it and of course, the result was my dissertation topic.

How is your research applicable in "the real world"?

In the real world, meta analysis of multiple baseline time-series design intervention models is of great interest to researchers in the fields of behavioural sciences, environmental sciences, economics, education and medicine. They often employ interrupted time-series designs to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of several interventions in both clinical and natural settings. This model also provides a strong basis for causal conclusions.

What is the greatest honour you have received in your career?

As a graduate student, I received the best graduate research poster during the third annual Western Michigan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ research and creative activities poster day in 2009.

Personally, I feel honoured every time I meet with a former student who shares how their statistical learning is enhancing their work, and feel the same when I can offer a meaningful statistical analysis in collaborative projects. In my career, it warms my heart to have an article accepted for publication or to obtain approval for a research grant.

How important are students to your research endeavours?

I find that working with students is a two way learning dynamic. Data analysis is core in interpreting research findings; hence it is rewarding being able to engage students in quantitative research. Students who work with me are trained in data collection procedures, recruiting research participants, conducting and transcribing qualitative interviews, data coding and literature reviews. This process provides students with learning opportunities and prepares them for future research works.

If you had unlimited funds, which areas of research would you invest?

If money was not an object, I would invest in any research which requires application of statistical theory and concepts, and would also participate in continuous professional development across the globe. In particular, I would invest in research focusing on health related issues to provide reasonable explanations to understanding existing variable relationships, interactions, cause and effects, amongst other things. In addition, I desire to participate in innovative teaching research to build stronger teaching and learning strategies at all levels of education.

Each month, the Legend will present 5 Questions With . . . one of our researchers. For a look at the entire catalog of 5 Questions With . . . features, check out the Office of Research and Innovation Services website at www.uleth.ca/research/research_profiles.

If you'd like to be profiled, contact Penny Pickles at pickpj@uleth.ca.

Impact of ORIS seen everywhere

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:37:20 +0000

The Office of Research and Innovation Services is active in promoting the interests of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on a number of fronts. This includes ongoing support for faculty researchers and the establishment of research initiatives and partnerships at local, regional, national and international levels.

In the past year, we have seen a number of examples that highlight the behind-the-scenes work that ORIS does in supporting research interests at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and beyond.

Pictured (L to R), the U of L's Dr. Dan Weeks, Shaun Wedick (Consul of Canada, Chennai), Dr. Karl Staenz, Deep Mazumdar, Prashant Shulkle (Director General, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada).

The office was instrumental in establishing a branch Research Data Centre (RDC) through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary. The RDC is a university-based laboratory that offers researchers secure access to confidential micro-data from a constantly growing number of datasets, primarily from Statistics Canada. Researchers also have access to fully equipped workstations, standard and highly specialized statistical analysis packages and technical support through this agreement, all provided free of charge.

ORS supported Dr. Abdie Kazemipur (sociology) during the process, as he was instrumental in this application, giving our researchers a secure level of access to vital data that they have never previously enjoyed.

The establishment of new initiatives also included support for the first inter-disciplinary conference on childhood in Canadian history, The Childhoods Conference: Mapping the Landscapes of Childhood. ORS worked with Dr. Jan Newberry, among others, to obtain funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research to present the May 5-7 event, one that has the potential to spin-off into a childhood studies institute.

"Most folks from the U of L community will associate ORIS with providing researchers the expert support necessary for developing winning proposals for research grant competitions," says Vice-President (Research) Dr. Daniel Weeks. "However, it is equally important that we provide ongoing assistance to facilitate productive partnerships that allow our researchers to advance research and/or knowledge mobilization."

The ORIS also works to create partnerships beyond the walls of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as it looks to push research interests in local and regional quarters. Recently, the U of L signed a memorandum of understanding with Lethbridge College, Lethbridge Economic Development and SouthGrow Regional Initiative and Community Futures, Lethbridge Region.

The memorandum formalizes a partnership that intends to push innovation and commercialization activities throughout the southern Alberta region, supporting business and industry by facilitating the flow of knowledge, stimulating the transfer of innovative ideas, advancing areas of mutual interest and providing greater access to business for our students as they look to gain practical experience through applied research projects.

"The increasing pressure to commercialize and innovate research outcomes is a challenge for universities," says Weeks. "Indeed, commercialization is not a primary function of a university. We have taken the position that creating stronger alliances between community organizations and other post secondary institutions can be enormously effective and yield important benefits for everyone."

The ORIS then works to take the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ message to the national and international level, facilitating partnerships that create the framework for global research projects. In January, Weeks was accompanied by Dr. Karl Staenz (geography) and Deep Mazumdar (PhD candidate, geography) as they participated in the Canadian Geomatics Science and Technology Partnering Mission in India. The mission sought to showcase how Canada's expertise and technology could assist India as it addresses its need for leading-edge geospatial solutions.

The scope of benefits gained by the U of L as it enhanced its presence in the Indian market and built essential business relationships cannot yet begin to be realized.

It is the amalgamation of this activity that makes up the breadth of the ORIS mandate and assists in growing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's reputation as a comprehensive research institution both locally and beyond.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Alberta Centre for Child

5 Questions with Dr. Olu Awosoga

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Impact of ORIS seen everywhere

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