Spark Newsletter: June 24, 2021

Bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University

Believe it or not, this is the 10th issue of the Spark Connections Newsletter! Thank you to all of our readers for your ongoing support, and contribution. We look forward to continuing to offer updates on all things Spark/McMaster/Social Research Innovation related! 

Who do you want to speak at Spark’s Fall 2021 speaker series?

In organizing Spark’s Fall 2021 weekly research series “Spark Talks” (Fridays from 10:30 -11:20 am), we would love to hear from you regarding your interests and suggestions for speakers. 

Here’s how you can get involved: 

1. Share your work: We would love to support you by having you and your work showcased as part of our series.  
2. Explore your experiences using a particular method, technology or research area: Let's collaborate by building a collective research toolkit and find others with similar interests.
3. Recommend someone: This is an easy initial engagement with Mac (and we pay stipends to external speakers)

Speakers can be anywhere in the world.  As our options for in-person meetings increase, we will make these hybrid online/offline events. 

Nominate a Speaker

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grants

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) October 2021 Insight Grant competition is now open.

Insight Grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities.  Research initiatives may be undertaken by an individual researcher or a team of researchers working in collaboration.  Funding is available to both emerging and established scholars for research initiatives of two to five years.
 

Application Process:

If you plan to apply, please contact the Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS), Christina Pellegrini, Senior Advisor, Development, at pellegrc@mcmaster.ca or extension 27207 by July 23, 2021.

• Draft application for peer review due to ROADS by August 3, 2021
• Draft application due to ROADS by September 7, 2021
• Final application due to ROADS by September 24, 2021

If you are interested in discussing an idea you have for an Insight Grant, Spark is happy to explore with you the range of methodologies to answer your research questions. Contact us at talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca

Have you heard? Spark is taking a (virtual) walk down memory lane to reflect on some of the great Productivity During Pandemic Presentations from this year. Connect with Spark on Twitter (@Spark_McMaster) and tune in every Friday for something we like to call #SparkResearchReplay. 

Connect with Spark on Twitter

In case you missed #SparkResearchReplay:

Truth and Consequences: How Scientists Think About Error and Fraud in Research
Dr. Justin Esarey

Check it out here:

In case you missed #SparkResearchReplay:

Bibliometrics for Research Assessment and Quick Insights
Dr. Fei Yu

Check it out here:

Research guide - Qualitative Research at a Distance

This guide is a starting point for academic and non-academics to explore approaches to socially distanced but deeply engaged qualitative research methods. It aims to provide a practical foundation (in a concise and sharable format) for imaging what is possible during the current pandemic and beyond while offering suggestions for resources to learn more. 

Read the Guide

Looking to pool software licences with another researcher?

Now you can! Fill out this form and we will reach out if we can match you with others looking to pool licences.

Research Conversations

We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to all McMaster researchers (students, staff and faculty) on every social research topic imaginable.  If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.   

Request a research consultation at https://forms.gle/7FciqxCtK5fN6AD97
 

Qualtrics Licences

If you are an FSS researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Gn2KvYgdebjo8d2W8.

 

Brighter Spark Applied Research

Spark offers custom research and evaluation, as well as highly skilled assistance in implementing virtually any social research method. Our cost-recovery services include methods and software training, custom research, state-of-the-art facilities, and taking on elements of your project to support its completion.

For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/brighter-spark

 

Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to be showcased in our next newsletter.
 

NEW videos available from the Data Literacy Training Initiative

Statistics Canada

A new suite of training videos from the Data Literacy Training initiative is now available including:

Data Stewardship 101: An introduction to data standards and metadata: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062021006

Statistics 101: Proportions, ratios and rates - https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062021003

Statistics 101: Correlation and causality - https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062021002

Statistics 101: Exploring measures of dispersion- https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062020003

Statistics 101: Exploring measures of central tendency- https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062020002

Machine learning: An Introduction- https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/892000062021004

Telling the Data Story: An Introduction- https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue/892000062021005
 
To view the full catalogue of resources, visit: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/wtc/data-literacy/catalogue
 

Research Data Management - Online Summer Series

July 8th, 2021 at 2-3 pm

Essentials of Open Data Sharing
Organized by: The Sherman Centre
Learn more and register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3604377

Big Data and Tech in Our Backyard Series

July 9, 2021, at 12:00 pm

Fulfillment and the Future of Work with Alec MacGillis and Kaylie Tiessen 
Organized by: TPL and McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy in Digital Society Program
Learn more and save your spot for the session here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/tplmacgillistiessen/register

In the News – The Hamilton Spectator Op-Ed:

“It's time to be honest about racism in Hamilton”

Co-Authored by: Ameil Joseph (School of Social Work) and Kojo Damptey (The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion) 

Read it here: https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2021/06/07/its-time-to-be-honest-about-racism-in-hamilton.html

Spark: a centre for social research innovation

Website: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/
Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spark-a-centre-for-social-research-innovation/about/  
Email: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca
Subscribe to Spark Connections: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/contact