Civic Engagement at Scholars
Community-Based Discovery Research
Interested in combining research and service to create social change? The Community-Based Discovery (CBD) research course will allow you to work collaboratively with your peers, the instructor, and community members to address an important community issue. This course is designed to provide you with an opportunity to answer a significant research question through the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data. Scholars will engage in the research process in small teams or individually.
Community-based research is research that is conducted with and for, not on, members of a community.
Strand , K., Marullo, S., Cutforth, N., Stoecker, R., & Donohue, P. (2003). Community-Based Research and Higher Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Why should you participate in Community-Based Discovery research?
You will have the opportunity to work with a College Park Scholars community partner or we will assist you in establishing a new connection based on your interests. Previous partners have included the following: Adelphi/ Langley Park Family Support Center, America Reads*America Counts , The Caring Project , Kids2College DC , Northwood High School , and World Arts Focus and Joe's Movement Emporium .
You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to conduct primary and secondary research. This will include learning five primary research methods.
You can explore social issues, concerns, and conditions currently affecting Prince George's County and the D.C. area.
You will find yourself better prepared to live and work in a diverse and democratic society.
You will receive a great deal of support in order to make this a successful experience for you and everyone involved.
Community-based research, unlike more traditional academic research, is a collaborative process that is change-oriented. Research questions are developed based on the needs of the community. Engaging in CBD can be an empowering process for everyone involved!
For more information, please contact Patty Alvarez by phone at 301- 314-2777, or by email at palvarez@umd.edu .
