BACKGROUND: Teaching Scholars Programs are designed to enhance productivity and faculty retention. The formation of an increased network may be a facilitative mechanism. PURPOSES: This study determined if participants increased their educational network and if the increase affected productivity. METHODS: Researchers interviewed Teaching Scholars participants for pre- and postparticipation members of their educational network and issues related to network formation and conducted a structured vita analysis. Researchers used social network analysis (SNA) to describe the networks and regression to determine the relationship between network and productivity. RESULTS: Educational networks increased with participation (p <.001) but showed little or no effect on productivity. SNA revealed a decrease of participants with no network, increase in connections among participants, and increase in connections to central services personnel. Researchers identified six themes from the participants' comments. CONCLUSIONS: This relatively modest program demonstrated a small effect on productivity through the increased network.
BACKGROUND: Teaching Scholars Programs are designed to enhance productivity and faculty retention. The formation of an increased network may be a facilitative mechanism. PURPOSES: This study determined if participants increased their educational network and if the increase affected productivity. METHODS: Researchers interviewed Teaching Scholars participants for pre- and postparticipation members of their educational network and issues related to network formation and conducted a structured vita analysis. Researchers used social network analysis (SNA) to describe the networks and regression to determine the relationship between network and productivity. RESULTS: Educational networks increased with participation (p <.001) but showed little or no effect on productivity. SNA revealed a decrease of participants with no network, increase in connections among participants, and increase in connections to central services personnel. Researchers identified six themes from the participants' comments. CONCLUSIONS: This relatively modest program demonstrated a small effect on productivity through the increased network.