What is the Body of Knowledge?
SRA International's Body of Knowledge is a topical index to information, articles, resources and links essential to successful research management on all levels. Produced and maintained by expert research administrators from around the world, this comprehensive "living library" of essential resources contains in-depth information on the six main categories of research administration.
InfrastructureEvery organization that engages in the search and utilization of external funding to support research, training and educational activities, and public service projects, must develop an infrastructure to support those activities. This framework will differ by organization but there are basic functions that must be performed in order to support faculty, administration and sponsor needs. The following list constitutes a good checklist of special value for new sponsored programs offices and for offices doing assessments. |
| The ProfessionResearch administration as a profession encompasses many areas of focus in a variety of settings. Considering the important mission of the profession, specific skills and values are required. | | Pre-AwardResearch administrators focused on pre-award assist faculty in pursuing and administering external funds for research. This component of the BoK convers topics such as strategy formation, types of proposals, proposal development and submission, etc. |
Post-AwardWhen a proposal is submitted, the expectation is that the prospective sponsor will make an award. But when is an award actually a legal commitment and obligation to provide funds to the organization? Various types of awards, what documentation is appropriate, and how the actual acceptance of an award should be managed may vary across institutions depending on culture, infrastructure, and specific award conditions. |
| Public ResponsibilityThe research administrator must not only understand the relevant regulations, but must also identify resources and strategies to establish and maintain compliance programs. Beyond these policy requirements, issues of ethics, accountability, and costs move the research institution from areas of hard science to hard choices. |
| Clinical TrialsClinical trials is research typically involving human participants and would require IRB review and approval. |