Staff Management & Training Flashcards
7 cards from real CRA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Staff Management & Training flashcards as text
A research office is implementing a new electronic research administration (eRA) system. Which staff training sequence is MOST effective?
Answer: Train superusers first, then cascade training to end-users with superuser support
A superuser cascade model builds internal expertise first, creating peer support networks that make broader rollout training more effective and sustainable.
Which element is MOST critical to include in a position description for a research compliance specialist role?
Answer: Specific regulatory knowledge requirements such as 2 CFR 200 and sponsor-specific guidelines
Compliance specialist roles require specific regulatory knowledge, and including these requirements in the job description attracts qualified candidates and sets clear performance standards.
A research administrator supervisor notices a team member is consistently overwhelmed by their caseload. What is the APPROPRIATE response before considering staffing changes?
Answer: Conduct a workload analysis to identify inefficiencies, prioritization issues, or training gaps
A workload analysis objectively identifies whether the issue stems from volume, process inefficiency, skill gaps, or prioritization before structural changes are made.
In a research administration context, what is the PRIMARY purpose of a staff competency matrix?
Answer: To identify skill gaps across the team and guide targeted training investments
A competency matrix maps current skill levels against required competencies across the team, revealing training needs and development priorities.
Which principle from adult learning theory (andragogy) is MOST important to apply when training experienced research administrators on a policy update?
Answer: Connecting new policy requirements to participants' prior experience and real work scenarios
Andragogy principles emphasize that adult learners are self-directed and learn best when new material connects to their existing experience and immediate job relevance.
A research administrator is documenting a performance improvement plan (PIP) for a staff member who missed three consecutive sponsor reporting deadlines. Which element is ESSENTIAL in the PIP?
Answer: Specific, measurable performance objectives with deadlines and consequences clearly stated
An effective PIP must include specific, measurable objectives and clearly stated consequences to be legally defensible and to give the employee a genuine opportunity to improve.
When staff are assigned to work on a federally funded project with Human Subjects research, which training is REQUIRED before they may perform their duties on that project?
Answer: Human Research Protection training, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements
All personnel working on Human Subjects research must complete Human Research Protection training to comply with federal regulations and IRB requirements protecting research participants.