This course introduces students to the process of “traditional” and “community-engaged” research. Students will learn about the characteristics of specific research designs and methodologies. The course serves as a foundation and prerequisite to the Capstone Project course. This course will provide an overview of research methods and practices that are used in community contexts. It will consider how to approach research with communities, by communities, for communities. The course raises questions regarding the role of researchers and research within a community setting, and ethical and professional issues relevant to entering a community and gaining community approval for research. This course will help familiarize students with the kinds of research that take place within community settings and ways in which community members can be involved in different phases of research including planning, implementation, and analysis.
Research Methods Knowledge Base – Choose three topics to skim from the table of contents. Additionally, skim these as well: Five Big Words; Introduction to Validity; Survey Research; Descriptive Statistics; Inferential Statistics