Research Methods for Community Change A Project-Based Approach

Name: Research Methods for Community Change A Project-Based Approach
Price: 8.19 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780761928898

ISBN-10: 0761928898

ISBN-13: 9780761928898

Edition: 2005

Authors: Randy R. Stoecker

List price: $63.00

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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: A Project-Based Approach 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. Research Methods for Community Change is perfectly suited as a text for undergraduate and graduate research methods courses across the social sciences, including sociology, social work, and public health. Community service workers, professional researchers, and consultants will also find this an invaluable guide to effecting change in their communities. "At last! A concise, insightful and highly useful book on research methods for community action and social change. Drawing from his own rich experiences as well as from broader literature and examples, Stoecker demonstrates that valuable research is not the monopoly of professional researchers, but can be used by people anywhere as a tool for organizing and developing their communities. Highly readable, grounded in analysis, and full of practical approaches, this book will be an important resource for activists, students, scholars, policy makers and community development practitioners who seek to use research for more effective and sustainable change. John Gaventa, Fellow, Institute for Development Studies, Sussex, U.K. Drawing from his own experiences and from case studies from across the nation, Stoecker offers an empowering and remarkably accessible discussion of how project-based research models build community and democracy by redistributing both power and responsibility. It is an informative and valuable text that makes a convincing case that research must become daily practice for all who are committed to working for effective social change. Stephen L. Fisher, Director, Appalachian Center for Community Service, Emory & Henry College Stoecker's highly readable book is a great leap forward in expanding the definition and practice of research and documentation through collaboration between academics and community activists. He makes project-based research accessible to readers through lively, real examples that involve creative and strategic use of sources and resources. Stoecker shows how good quality research can make meaningful differences in people's lives. The book is perfect for use in both classrooms and nonprofit organizations. Kathleen Staudt, University of Texas at El Paso At last, a book that demystifies research for both novice and experienced community workers who want to make a difference. Randy Stoecker presents a refreshingly innovative and

Book details

List price: $63.00
Copyright year: 2005
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
Publication date: 2/15/2005
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 288
Size: 6.00" wide x 9.00" long x 0.60" tall
Weight: 0.836
Language: English

Randy Stoecker is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Toledo, and is the moderator/editor of COMM-ORG: The On-Line Conference on Community Organizing and Development (http://comm-org.utoledo.edu).nbsp; His areas of expertise include community organizing and development, participatory research/evaluation, and community information technology.nbsp; He has been involved in a wide variety of community-based participatory research projects and participatory evaluations with community development corporations, community organizing groups, and community information technology programs across North America and Australia.nbsp; He has also been helping build and evaluate…



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