Frequently Asked Questions about EQUIPP:
Who is eligible to take
the EQUIPP program?
Is it open to international participants, or
only Canadians?
What costs are involved?
Is there any funding available to take the program?
Do I have to go to Edmonton?
Should I take the 1 year program or the 2 year
program?
Can I choose my own mentor who is not on your
list?
What resources are available at the IIQM?
What are the two conferences mentioned in
the curriculum outline?
Who is eligible to take the EQUIPP program?
The program is designed for doctoral students/candidates, recent
doctoral graduates, or working professionals. The target audiences
include new researchers who have little or no experience, or researchers
with experience in quantitative methods but require training in
qualitative inqiry.
Is it open to international participants,
or only Canadians?
The program is specifically designed to increase the research capacity
in Canada. This means registration is limited to Canadian participants,
or those who are willing and eligible to remain and work in Canada
following completion of the program. Back
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What costs are involved?
For the first year of EQUIPP, there are a variety of fees. Registrants
must pay for all courses and workshops taken at both the IIQM and
the University of Alberta, as well as registration at the annual
conference. On top of those fees, there is a residency fee at the
IIQM, which covers technical support, printing, access to University
of Alberta libraries, etc.
All participants are responsible for their travel and living expenses,
including health insurance. The program cost also does not cover
any expenses incurred for your research project, such as recording
equipment, supplies, etc.
Is there any funding available to take the
program?
The EQUIPP program has received funding from the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR). Some of this money is designated to providing
fellowships for EQUIPP participants. This fellowship will help to
off-set living expenses while attending the program, as well as
cover all tuition and bench fees. Please note that CIHR funding
is for Canadian participants only; however, non-Canadians who are
willing and legally able to remain and work in Canada following
the program may also be eligible. Please contact the IIQM for more
information.
If you are a working health professional, we also encourage you
to discuss this issue with your employer; they may be willing to
contribute to your tuition and living expenses while you complete
the program, or work out a leave of abscence for the time of the
program.
International applicants are encouraged to seek funding on their
own or through their institution, though it is not necessary. All
that is required, as per Un iversity of Alberta rules, is proof
of financial stability for the period of stay in Canada.
Do I have to go to Edmonton?
Yes. The first 6 months of the program must be taken at the IIQM
and University of Alberta in Edmonton. There will be classes and
seminars daily, so commuting from even as close as Calgary is not
feasible. And the nature of these many of these sessions, with hands-on
teaching and one-to-one interaction, is not conducive to distance-learning.
The second half of the year may be in Edmonton or negotiated to
be spent at the site of your chosen mentor. When choosing your mentor,
we strongly recommend that you make your decision based on the research
program of the mentor (both methodological and substantial) rather
than convenience of location.
For those who opt to continue into the second year of EQUIPP, there
will be required sessions in Edmonton in November and April.
Fortunately, unlike many other Canadian provinces, it is easy to
get a 6 month lease in many apartment buildings in Alberta. University
housing may also be an option. See the IIQM
website for more information about short-term housing in Edmonton.
Should I take the 1 year program or the
2 year program?
That decision depends on the level of support you want during your
first real research project.
During the first year, participants take the courses outlined in
the curriculum, followed by a 6 month research residency. This year
is mandatory to acquire the certificate.
Year 2 is optional, and is meant for participants who want guidance
as they complete their first research project. During the second
year, participants will spend most of their time conducting their
research project at their home location (hospital, university, etc.).
They will participate in discussions and seminars via WebCT/Web4M,
and faculty and mentors will be available for consultation. Twice
during the year, in November and April, they will come to Edmonton
to participate in seminars and report on their progress. During
this time, they can also get assistance on project design, data
analysis, and disseminaton strategies.
Can I choose my own mentor who is not on
your list?
Unfortunately, at this point, no. We feel that we have selected
the best researchers in Canada based on a combination and that our
list provides sufficient choice. As the program progresses, we may
identify new mentors or gaps in the curriculum that need filled.
These decisions will be made by the EQUIPP program committee.
What resources are available at the IIQM?
Located on the sixth floor of the University of Alberta Extension
Centre, the IIQM consists of a focus group lab, 2 interview rooms,
a library, a video lab, 9 offices and large areas of flexible space
for accommodating trainees. The reading room, with more that 1100
titles, holds many qualitative titles from the Sage Publications,
as well as important works by a number of other publishers. There
are also audio and video tapes of past lectures, seminars, and conferences
held by the Institute. The video lab is designed for remote videotaping,
and the smaller interview rooms can accommodate up to 4 people.
We have facilities for gathering and editing video data, both analogue
and digital, and someone on hand to help you learn to use the equipment.
The Institute is home to 2 journals - Qualitative Health Research
and the International Journal of Qualitative Methods - and
as such has 2 editors on staff who will be able to assist EQUIPP
trainees as they write for publication in the final stage of the
program.
EQUIPP trainees will also have access to the University of Alberta
library system, one of the top research libraries in Canada.
What are the two conferences mentioned
in the curriculum outline?
The IIQM hosts one international conference each year, alternating
between the Qualitative Health Research conference and Advances
in Qualitative Methods. In Year One, EQUIPP participants will be
required to attend the conference, including participating in one
of the workshops at the conference. Those who take the two-year
EQUIPP program will be required to present a paper at the conference
in their second year.
When not in Canada, these conferences are hosted by one of the
Institute's international sites. Participants may want to attend
the internationally hosted conference also.
More information about these conferences is available on the IIQM
Website.
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