For the Researcher

For the Researcher: Turning questions into knowledge, and knowledge into impact.

For the Researcher workshops help faculty strengthen their research and scholarly work across every stage of the process. Topics include research design, data analysis, grants, publishing, and research tools, with an emphasis on practical skills, ethical practices, and increasing the reach and impact of your work.

Additional resources:

View previous recordings of research and statistics sessions
eTRACS (ElecTronic Research Administration & Compliance System) is the system used to manage funding proposals and post-award activities at ECU. Visit the eTRACs website for resources that you might find helpful.

Fall 2026 Workshops

Date/Time	Session Title	Description	Registration Survey	Meeting Link / Recording
August 21, 2026 1:00pm-4:00pm In-Person: Willis Auditorium	Talking Engaged Research	This session will provide an overview and introduction to community-engaged research, including highlighting approaches and considerations for initiating projects with community partners and co-developing research ideas and projects with community partners. These topics will be discussed with faculty currently engaged in community-engaged research. Facilitated by Rachel Gittman
September 1, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Data Layout and Column Types	This workshop will introduce Excel's data layout (such as the meaning of rows and columns and how to reference a cell) and data types including numbers, text, and dates and explain how to convert a column to a specific data type. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Data Layout and Column Types - Session Recording
September 8, 2026 12:00-1:00	Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Choosing which Review is Right for You, and Drafting a Protocol (9.8.26)	Attendees will leave this class with an understanding of the differences between systematic and scoping reviews. Resources offered will include a template to start a protocol for a review and information on the general methodology and steps for evidence synthesis projects. This session will also include a brief introduction to the Systematic Review Service at Laupus HS Library and what a librarian can do for you to assist with the research process. Facilitated by Jamie Bloss		Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Choosing which Review is Right for You, and Drafting a Protocol (9.8.26) - Session Recording
September 9, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Editing and Formatting	This workshop will introduce flash fills, how to create a filter, sort data, clear the format, freeze panes, and conduct conditional formatting. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Join Excel Bite Size Series: Editing and Formatting
September 9, 2026 2:00-2:30	Building Data Managements Plan with DMP Tool (9.9.26)	Many funders require data management and sharing plans (DMSPs) for grant proposals. This session will walk through DMP Tool to help you draft compliant plans efficiently. You’ll also get the latest updates on federal requirements and learn best practices for data sharing. This session is especially useful for researchers preparing grant proposals or seeking federal funding. Facilitated by Allison Kaefring and Xiaolan Qiu		Building Data Managements Plan with DMP Tool (9.9.26) - Session Recording
September 10, 2026 1:00-3:00	Python Introduction	This workshop is for people who don’t know much about Python. We will use Spyder in Anaconda to do the programming. Spyder is an integrated development environment for Python (IDE). We will learn the interface of Spyder, packages used in Python especially in statistics, how to read external data files into Spyder, data management including creating a dataset in Python, converting data types, selecting cases, and recoding variables, how to get plots, and how to conduct descriptive statistics and analyze data including Chi-square test and correlation analysis. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Python Introduction - Session Recording
September 11, 2026 9:00-10:30	SCIENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (9.11.26)	This session will feature an overview of creating your biosketch in SciENcv. NSF currently requires biosketches, synergistic activities, current and pending document, and collaborators and other affiliations spreadsheet to be generated out of SciENcv and NIH and USDA are beginning to require the use of this platform. Faculty are encouraged to log in to SciENcv and follow-along with the presenter to begin building a biosketch in this working session. This session will focus on the process of developing the biosketch in SciENcv and be less geared towards the content of the individual biosketch. Facilitated by Mary Lisa Pories		This session was not recorded.
September 15, 2026 10:00-11:00	Plain Language Summaries: A Tool for Scientific Communication	Plain Language Summaries (PLS) are incredibly effective science communication tools that allow researchers to reach a wider audience by summarizing their work. in more inclusive and accessible ways. This presentation explores rhetorical aspects of these summaries along with specific strategies for thinking through the composition of an effective PLS. Participants will be asked to consider the meaning of ‘understandable language’ along with what it means to write for a public audience. Bring one of your own Abstracts and workshop it into a PLS! Facilitated by Kerri Flinchbaugh		This session was not recorded.
September 15, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Formula and Function (1)	This workshop will introduce how to write a formula and a function and how to use them to calculate sum and average and to extract texts and combine cells. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Formula and Function (1) - Session Recording
September 15, 2026 12:00-1:00	Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Data Extraction (9.15.26)	Are you conducting a systematic review or going to be? Learn best practices for evidence synthesis data extraction. This class provides information and resources on how to plan, create your extraction form, and pilot it, for an evidence synthesis project. Facilitated by Jamie Bloss		Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Data Extraction (9.15.26) - Session Recording
September 16, 2026 9:00-10:30	Anatomy of a Manuscript	This workshop provides details on how to craft a manuscript to improve its chances for journal publication. The presenter will offer recommendations for how to effectively write the introduction, literature review, method, and discussion sections of a manuscript to increase its appeal to journal editors and reviewers. Facilitated by Patrick McKay		Anatomy of a Manuscript - Session Recording
September 17, 2026 10:00-11:00	Make Your Case for Support to Corporations and Foundations (9.17.26)	During this session, Terah Archie and Katy Johnson with ECU’s Corporate and Foundation Relations office will share a roadmap for building a project idea into a fundable concept and telling a compelling story that can be shared strategically with potential corporate and foundation funding sources. Facilitated by Terah Archie and Katy Johnson		Make Your Case for Support to Corporations and Foundations (9.17.26) - Session Recording
September 17, 2026 1:00-3:00	NVivo Introduction	NVivo is qualitative data analysis software designed to help researchers manage and analyze unstructured data, such as text, audio, video, images, and social media content. This workshop focuses on the fundamentals of NVivo, covering topics such as an overview of the NVivo interface; importing documents, videos, datasets, and images; creating codes and identifying relationships between them; coding; and conducting query analyses, such as word frequency and text searches. Facilitated by Hui Bian		NVivo Introduction - Session Recording
September 18, 2026 9:00-10:00	The Anatomy of Internal Grant Mechanisms	Join us for an overview of ECU’s internal grant opportunities and discover strategies to strengthen partnerships, expand future funding possibilities, and successfully navigate the internal funding process. Facilitated by Angela Lamson		This session was not recorded.
September 18, 2026 1:00-2:00	Collaboration in Research	This session will discuss how to set up a successful collaboration with other academic researchers, educators and practitioners, and community partners, and include authorship, roles on grant proposals and avoiding and resolving disputes and conflicts. Facilitated by Rachel Gittman		Collaboration in Research - Session Recording
September 22, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Formula and Function (2)	This workshop will introduce IF function and how to use it to calculate sum/average/count, how to extract date, and how to use unique function. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Formula and Function (2) - Session Recording
September 22, 2026 12:00-1:00	Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment (9.22.26)	Are you conducting a systematic review or going to be? This class will cover the differences between risk of bias (RoB) assessment and critical appraisal. After the class you will be able to summarize the methodology for risk of bias in systematic reviews. This class provides information and resources on how to conduct this process in an evidence synthesis. Facilitated by Jamie Bloss		Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis Methods: Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment (9.22.26) - Session Recording
September 22, 2026 1:00-2:00	Finding Funding Opportunities Using Grant Databases (9.22.26)	This session will introduce helpful tools to search for funding opportunities and will focus on using the SPIN and PIVOT-RP database. Attendees will learn how to set up custom searches and funding alerts. Facilitated by Allison Kaefring and Jeanne Hoover		Finding Funding Opportunities Using Grant Databases (9.22.26) - Session Recording
September 23, 2026 1:00-3:00	Qualtrics 1	Qualtrics is an online survey tool available to faculty, staff, and students. This workshop will guide you through the process of building a survey project. We will learn how to create new items of different question types, customize response options, add display and skip logic, and distribute a survey. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Qualtrics 1 - Session Recording
September 24, 2026 10:00-11:00	Dissertation Funding Opportunities for Doctoral Students	Mentors, PhD and EdD students are encouraged to attend this session to learn about ways to search for dissertation funding opportunities. This session might be especially relevant for PhD and EdD students at least one year from proposing their dissertation topic. Facilitated by Kathy Cox		Dissertation Funding Opportunities for Doctoral Students - Session Recording Dissertation Funding Opportunities for Doctoral Students - Presentation
September 28, 2026 11:00-12:00	Leading or Collaborating in Undergraduate Research Training Programs	Undergraduate research training programs, such as extramurally funded, state, or university-sponsored summer programs, provide hands-on, paid research experiences for students in STEM and biomedical fields. These programs often feature multi-week summer internships, mentorship, and career development to prepare students for graduate studies. This session is designed for faculty who wish to know more or venture into the organized undergraduate research training space. Facilitated by Tuan Tran		This session has been rescheduled for February 19, 2027 with the title: Undergraduate Research: Mentoring Teams and Coordinating Research Training Programs.
September 29, 2026 10:00-11:00	REDCap: Basics, Tips, and Tricks (9.29.26)	Unlock the power of REDCap for research in this engaging, beginner-friendly workshop designed to get you up and running quickly. Learn how to build projects with ease and discover practical tips and tricks to streamline your workflow. Facilitated by Research Technology		REDCap: Basics, Tips, and Tricks (9.29.26) - Session Recording
September 29, 2026 11:00-12:00	You've Written Your Article: Now What? Navigating Scholarly Publishing for Grad Students and Early Career Faculty (9.29.26)	A brief overview of the process of getting your research published and how the library can help. Topics will include finding relevant journals, navigating journal and funder requirements, understanding open access, and interpreting journal and article impact metrics. This session is developed with graduate students and early career faculty in mind but is open to anyone who would like a refresher on navigating the scholarly publishing landscape. Please bring your questions! Facilitated by Allison Kaefring		You've Written Your Article: Now What? Navigating Scholarly Publishing for Grad Students and Early Career Faculty (9.29.26) - Session Recording You've Written Your Article: Now What? Navigating Scholarly Publishing for Grad Students and Early Career Faculty (9.29.26) - Presentation
September 29, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Tables	This workshop will introduce how to create a table, how to use table features such as removing duplicates, create a total row, and how to calculate sum, average, count, and standard deviation, and how to remove a table and back to the normal Excel ranges. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Tables - Session Recording
September 30, 2026 11:00-12:30	Navigating the Maze of Publishing Research	This workshop provides recommendations for how early-career scholars can develop a system for publishing research effectively. The presenter will cover topics such as time management, building and managing a pipeline of research submissions, imposing deadlines on paper submissions, developing a scholarly network, perseverance, etc. Facilitated by Patrick McKay		This session was not recorded.
September 30, 2026 1:00-3:00	Qualtrics 2	This is a continuous workshop after Qualtrics 1. We will learn how to format a survey, download a dataset and understand the coding in the data; how to create a contact list and distribute a survey through Qualtrics; survey options including security, post survey email trigger, and quotas. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Qualtrics 2 - Session Recording
October 8, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Pivot Tables	This workshop will introduce how to create a Pivot table, how to use a Pivot table to get a crosstab like results, and how to create a Pivot chart. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Pivot Tables - Session Recording
October 9, 2026 10:00-12:00 In-Person: Faulkner Gallery, Joyner Library	Research Computing Meet and Greet	Are you a researcher with computational or data-intensive research needs? The ITCS Research Technology team and the Office of Faculty Excellence (OFE) invite ECU faculty and staff to attend a floating Meet & Greet on October 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At 10:30 a.m., John Southworth, Assistant Director of the newly established Research Technology team will provide a brief overview of its mission, priorities, and plans for the coming year. The team will also introduce an emerging community of practice focused on connecting researchers with high-performance computing and advanced computational needs, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource exchange. Outside of the presentation, attendees are welcome to drop in at any time to meet members of the Research Technology team, discuss current and future research technology needs, ask questions, and provide feedback on the statistical, computational, and data-driven tools that support research at ECU. Information about upcoming statistical software and survey training opportunities for the academic year will be available, and Hui Bian and Chris Motteler will be on hand to answer questions and gather suggestions. We encourage you to stop by at any point during the event. In addition to connecting with the Research Technology team, we hope this informal gathering will help faculty build relationships with colleagues across campus who share similar interests and challenges with high-performance computing and computational research.
October 9, 2026 12:00-1:00	IPAR 101 (10.9.26)	Essentials for Academic Leaders. A practical orientation to Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research - what we do, what you are responsible for, and how to engage each unit early. Facilitated by Greg Harris, Kristen Dreyfus, and Cynthia Bellacero		IPAR 101 (10.9.26) - Session Recording
October 14, 2026 10:00-11:30	Research Collaboration and Managing or Leading Co-Author Teams	This workshop will offer recommendations on how to manage research projects and co-authors effectively. Topics covered in the workshop include determining your performance model, how to choose collaborators, being a potential collaborator, and managing projects and working with collaborators. Facilitated by Patrick McKay		This session was not recorded.
October 14, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Charts and Graphs	This workshop will introduce how to create a pie chart, column chart, line chart, and interaction chart in Excel and how to customize the chart. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Excel Bite Size Series: Charts and Graphs - Session Recording
October 15, 2026 1:00-3:00	Fundamentals of Machine Learning	“Machine learning is the subset of artificial intelligence (AI) focused on algorithms that can “learn” the patterns of training data and, subsequently, make accurate inferences about new data.” This workshop will introduce the main concepts of machine learning and use one example to show how to train the data and predict new data. Python will be used in the workshop. Facilitated by Hui Bian		Recoding coming soon!
October 16, 2026 1:00-3:00 In-Person: Willis Auditorium	Digital Storytelling Workshop	This session will provide guidance on digital story telling approaches for highlighting community engaged research and ECU partnerships. The session will include tips and instructions for working with ECU Communications and Creative Services staff to produce compelling narratives and highlights for a variety of media formats. Facilitated by Rachel Gittman	Register for Digital Storytelling Workshop	In-Person: Willis Auditorium
October 20, 2026 10:00-10:30	Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (10.20.26)	This session provides a tutorial on PIVOT-RP and how to use the platform to find funding opportunities, save and track search queries and utilize the platform to best support your research interests. Facilitated by Jamie Bloss	Register for Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (10.20.26)	Join Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (10.20.26)
October 20, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Random Numbers and Paste Special	This workshop will introduce how to create random numbers and use paste-special: paste as values and transpose. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Excel Bite Size Series: Random Numbers and Paste Special	Join Excel Bite Size Series: Random Numbers and Paste Special
October 21, 2026 11:00-12:00	How to Mentor Undergraduate Research Teams	Faculty who mentor undergraduate students in research experiences support scientific, personal, career, and professional growth of their students. They also challenge students to develop independence. Mentorship may also be beneficial with increasing faculty research productivity. This session is designed for faculty who wish to gain insight on scaling their mentoring workload accordingly for overseeing teams of undergraduate students. Facilitated by Tuan Tran		This session has been rescheduled for February 19, 2027 with the title: Undergraduate Research: Mentoring Teams and Coordinating Research Training Programs.
October 22, 2026 1:00-3:00	Instrument/Survey Design for Social Science Research	This workshop will introduce the steps of designing a new reliable and valid survey. We will focus on topics such as reliability, validity, item analysis, and factor analysis. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Instrument/Survey Design for Social Science Research	Join Instrument/Survey Design for Social Science Research
October 28, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Combine Excel Files	This workshop will introduce how to combine the sheets that are all from the same workbook and how to combine external Excel files. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Excel Bite Size Series: Combine Excel Files	Join Excel Bite Size Series: Combine Excel Files
October 29, 2026 1:00-3:00	Machine learning: K Nearest Neighbors (KNN)	KNN is one of machine learning algorisms. We can use KNN to solve two problems: classification and prediction. This workshop will introduce the concepts of KNN and use examples to show how to train a KNN model and make predictions. R will be used in the workshop. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Machine learning: K Nearest Neighbors (KNN)	Join Machine learning: K Nearest Neighbors (KNN)
November 3, 2026 11:00-12:00	Avoiding Predatory Publishers (11.3.26)	The journal publishing industry is full of journals with questionable, or even outright disingenuous publishing practices. Learn how to spot and avoid scams, low quality publishers, and paper mills. Please bring your questions as we explore questionable publishing practices and provide useful tips to identify predatory publishers. Facilitated by Allison Kaefring	Register for Avoiding Predatory Publishers (11.3.26)	Join Avoiding Predatory Publishers (11.3.26)
November 4, 2026 12:00-12:20	Excel Bite Size Series: Splitting a Field and Adding Data Validation	This workshop will introduce how to split a text column into several columns and how to create a dropdown and add data validation for data entries. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Excel Bite Size Series: Splitting a Field and Adding Data Validation	Join Excel Bite Size Series: Splitting a Field and Adding Data Validation
November 10, 2026 1:00-2:00	Measuring Your Research Impact (11.10.26)	This session will cover various tools and resources that you can use to measure the impact of your scholarly work on a journal, article, and author level. We will also discuss how these metrics can be used by researchers and the issues to consider when using them. Additionally, we will recommend some strategies to increase your scholarly impact. Facilitated by Jeanne Hoover, Laura Bright, and Xiaolan Qiu	Register for Measuring Your Research Impact (11.10.26)	Join Measuring Your Research Impact (11.10.26)
November 10, 2026 2:00-3:00	Journal Policies and Ethics for using AI in Research	Using AI in research is a growing topic of interest across most disciplines. But how do the journals you want to submit to allow AI to be used? How should you disclose AI use in your article? Can you use AI for peer review? Learn about journal policies, ethical considerations, and other things you might want to know before you use AI in your scholarly works. Facilitated by Allison Kaefring	Register for Journal Policies and Ethics for using AI in Research	Join Journal Policies and Ethics for using AI in Research
November 11, 2026 10:00-11:00	REDCap: Basics, Tips, and Tricks (11.11.26)	Unlock the power of REDCap for research in this engaging, beginner-friendly workshop designed to get you up and running quickly. Learn how to build projects with ease and discover practical tips and tricks to streamline your workflow. Facilitated by Research Technology	Register for REDCap: Basics, Tips, and Tricks (11.11.26)	Join REDCap: Basics, Tips, and Tricks (11.11.26)
November 11, 2026 11:00-11:30	Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (11.11.26)	This session provides a tutorial on PIVOT-RP and how to use the platform to find funding opportunities, save and track search queries and utilize the platform to best support your research interests. Facilitated by Jeanne Hoover	Register for Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (11.11.26)	Join Finding Funding Opportunities using PIVOT-RP (11.11.26)
November 11, 2026 1:00-2:00	REDCap: MyCap	This training teaches beginners how to use MyCap, a mobile app tool built directly into REDCap, to collect research data from study participants. You will learn how to build mobile-friendly surveys, schedule daily or weekly health diaries, and send automated push notifications straight to participants' smartphones. No coding or app development experience is required. Facilitated by Gary Wallace	Register for REDCap: MyCap	Join REDCap: MyCap
November 12, 2026 1:00-3:00	Mediation and Moderation Analysis	Moderation analysis, also called interaction analysis, is used to explore the relationship between an independent variable (X), a moderator variable (W), and a dependent variable (Y). It examines whether the relationship between X and Y is influenced by the levels of W. Mediation analysis is used to examine whether the relationship between X and Y is through a mediator variable (M). In this workshop, we will use the PROCESS program created by Dr. Andrew Hayes, and SPSS, R to conduct moderation and mediation analyses. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Mediation and Moderation Analysis	Join Mediation and Moderation Analysis
November 18, 2026 1:00-3:00	Sensitivity and Specificity	Sensitivity and specificity are measures used to describe the validity of a diagnostic test or screening tool. The workshop will discuss what sensitivity and specificity are, what ROC is, and the relationship between classification models (logistic regression models) and test validity. Facilitated by Hui Bian	Register for Sensitivity and Specificity	Join Sensitivity and Specificity
November 20, 2026 1:00-2:00 Hybrid: In-Person Location: Willis Auditorium	IRB: Overview of ECU Resources and Processes (11.20.26)	If you anticipate conducting research with human subjects and would benefit from an overview of ECU’s IRB supports and processes, this session is for you. A general overview of all types of permissions will be discussed, including exempt, expedited, and full status reviews. This session might be especially relevant for individuals who have never submitted a request to IRB before. Facilitated by Rachel Gittman	Register for IRB: Overview of ECU Resources and Processes (11.20.26)	Join IRB: Overview of ECU Resources and Processes (11.20.26) Hybrid: In-Person Location: Willis Auditorium
December 2, 2026 10:00am-11:00am In-Person: Joyner Library 1008	Creating Mentor Maps to Advance Your Research Goals	This interactive session will guide participants in developing personalized mentor maps to strategically support their research goals and career progression. Mentor maps are visual and conceptual tools that help identify a network of mentors—both within and beyond one’s institution—who provide different types of support, such as research guidance, methodological expertise, funding advice, career navigation, and psychosocial encouragement. Facilitated by Karen Litwa	Register for Creating Mentor Maps to Advance Your Research Goals	In-Person: Joyner Library 1008
December 16, 2026 11:00-11:45	NSF CAREER Funding Opportunities - Insights and Lessons from the Application Process (12.16.26)	This session will provide an overview of the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, with a focus on its goals, structure, and expectations for junior faculty. The CAREER award is one of NSF’s most prestigious funding mechanisms, supporting early-career faculty who effectively integrate research, education, and broader impacts into a cohesive scholarly agenda. Drawing on Dr. Litwa’s own experience preparing and submitting an NSF CAREER proposal, she will share practical guidance on developing a competitive application, including articulating a long-term research vision, crafting a compelling education plan, and aligning broader impacts with both institutional and NSF priorities. The session will also address common challenges encountered during the application process, strategies for proposal development and time management, and lessons learned from feedback and reviews. The discussion is intended for early-career faculty who are considering applying for the NSF CAREER award, as well as mentors and research development professionals who support faculty grant writing. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the CAREER program and actionable insights to inform their own proposal development efforts. Facilitated by Karen Litwa	Register for NSF CAREER Funding Opportunities - Insights and Lessons from the Application Process (12.16.26)	Join NSF CAREER Funding Opportunities - Insights and Lessons from the Application Process (12.16.26)

Spring 2027 Workshops

*(DE) This session is aligned with the ECU Distance Education Continuing Education Requirement

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact ECU’s ADA coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1018 or ada-coordinator@ecu.edu

Link to archived Grants Workshops

Link to archived Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination Workshops

Link to archived Statistics and Research Workshops