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Research Methods for Community Change
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Research Methods for Community Change
A Project-Based Approach

May 2005 | 288 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Everyone is a member of a community, and every community is continually changing. To successfully manage that change, community members need information. Research Methods for Community Change is an in-depth review of all of the research methods that communities use to solve problems, develop their resources and protect their identities.

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

· Evaluating its impact.

At every stage of this model there are research tasks, from needs and assets assessments at the diagnosis stage to process and outcome studies at the evaluation stage. Readers will also learn the importance of involving community members at every stage of the project and in every aspect of the research, making the research part of the community-building process.

 
Acknowledgments
 
1. "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

 
 
2. 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

 
 
3. 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

 
 
4. 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

 
 
5. 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

 
 
6. Implementing: When Research Is the Project
Making Who-ville Heard

 
Research as Action

 
Community Research

 
Target Research

 
Loose Gravel

 
Conclusion

 
Resources

 
Notes

 
 
7. 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

 
 
8. 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

 
 
Appendix A: Strategic Planning
 
Appendix B: Research Ethics
 
Appendix C: Writing Proposals
 
Appendix D: Data Resources
 
Index
 
About the Author

This text is relevant for the needs of career audiences within the classroom who have differing backgrounds and professional goals.

Dr Marie Steichen
Landscape Arch Cmty Plan Dept, Kansas State University
January 29, 2013
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Excellent Text for Urban Planning!

Dr J. Rosie Tighe
Geography Planning Dept, Appalachian State University
March 14, 2011
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This text was ideal for my community-based resarch course. It serves as a good complement to more traditional qualitative methods books, which provide the "how-tos" of doing research. I was looking for something that would help broaden students' understanding of traditional research paradigms and also demonstrate the ways in which research can be instrumental in social change efforts.

Dr Sandra Richards Mayo
Center for California Cultural and Social Issues (CCCSI), Pitzer College
March 23, 2010
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Great book... used for my research methods class last semester

Dr Joyce Mandell
Urban Studies Dept, Worcester State College
March 6, 2010
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ISBN: 9780761928881
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