Research Methods for Community Change : A Project-Based Approach

by Randy Stoecker

• ISBN13: 9780761928881
• ISBN10: 076192888X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-02-15
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc
• More Book Details

Summary

With an engaging, friendly style and numerous real world examples, author Randy Stoecker shows readers how to use a project-based research model in the community. The four features of the model are diagnosing a community condition; prescribing an intervention for the condition; implementing the prescription; and evaluating its impact.

Author Biography

Randy Stoecker is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Toledo.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

"But I Don't Do Research"

"But I Don't Do Research"

"So What Is Research?"

"Okay, So I Do Research Already. Why Do I Need to Learn About It?"

"I'm Already Running Full-Out Managing Our Programs. How Can I Do More Research Too?"

"I'm Still Not Convinced. But Just In Case, Where Do I Start?"

"So Where Do I and My Community Fit In?"

Conclusion and Coming Attractions

The Goose Story

Resources

Notes

The Goose Approach to Research

Have You Ever Felt Like an Interloper?

Participatory Approaches to Research

A Participatory Approach to Project-Based Research

Building Participatory Relationships: The Researcher Side

Building Participatory Relationships: The Community Side

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Head and Hand Together: A Project-Based Research Model

The Head and Hand Split

From Head and Hand to Research and Action

Of Programs and Projects

The Project Model: Diagnose, Prescribe, Implement, Evaluate

The Project Model and Participatory Flexibility

Where Are You In the Project Cycle?

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Diagnosing

How to Survive on a Deserted Island

The Impetus for Diagnosis

Structures for a Diagnostic Process: The Core Group

Strategies for a Diagnostic Process: Problems and Opportunities

The Problems Approach: Needs Assessment

The Opportunities Approach: Asset Mapping

Of Needs and Resources

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Prescribing: Researching Options

Which Way Should You Go From Here?

Inward-Looking vs. Outward-Looking Social Change: Services and Policies

A Planning Approach

The Special Case of Policy Prescriptions

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Implementing: When Research Is the Project

Making Who-ville Heard

Research as Action

Community Research

Target Research

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Evaluation

Back to the Future, or Messing With the Space-Time Continuum

Choices in Evaluation

Participatory Evaluation From the Beginning

Participatory Evaluation as an Integrated Process

Loose Gravel

Conclusion

Resources

Notes

Beyond Information: Research as an Organizational Lifestyle

The Montessori, Goose Approach, Popular Education, Tennis Coach Model of Project-Based Research

The Project-Based Research Cycle Revisited

Role Models for Research as a Daily Practice

Behind the Fun: Information Management and Information Technology

Loose Gravel: Information Myths and Monsters

In Conclusion

Notes

Strategic Planning

Research Ethics

Writing Proposals

Data Resources

Index

About the Author

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