Community-Based Research and Evaluation
Introduction
The Community-Based Research and Evaluation (CBRE) seeks to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations and other entities.
The Center for Community Partnerships provides data collection, analysis, and consultation services to schools, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Kenosha and Racine counties. We are particularly interested in partnering with community agencies on efforts that respond to local community needs and priorities.
CCP staff work collaboratively with faculty and students throughout the university to provide a full spectrum of research, evaluation, and technical assistance. Services include:
- Survey services including design, sampling, coding, and report preparation;
- Focus group services including instrument design, participant recruitment, facility reservation, moderating, audiotaping, transcription, and report preparation; and
- Program evaluation and consultation.
What is Community-Based Research & Evaluation?
Community-based research and evaluation (CBRE) engages community members with students and faculty in the context of their scholarly work. Unlike traditional academic research, CBRE is collaborative and change-oriented and finds its research questions in the needs and priorities of communities. This dynamic research model combines classroom learning with social action in ways that can ultimately empower community groups to address their own agendas and shape their own futures. At the same time it emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills that truly prepare students for active civic engagement.
Strand, et. al. (2003), in Community-Based Research: Principles for Higher Education, describe community-based research as being guided by three principles:
- It is a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers (professors and students) and community members.
- It validates multiple sources of knowledge and promotes the use of multiple methods of discovery and of dissemination of the knowledge produced.
- It has, as its goal, social action and social change for the purpose of achieving social justice.
Community-based research and evaluation efforts at UW-Parkside are guided by our Institutional Mission, and by the core values and principles of the Center for Community Partnerships. This distinguishes us from private firms and agencies that offer similar research and evaluation services. As such, we expect potential partners to assist us in exploring ways in which activities can be integrated into the institution's teaching, learning, research, or other scholarly activities.
Recent Projects and Reports
E-Mentoring: An Investigation of Electronic Mentoring Practice
A Role for Mentoring In Racine, Wisconsin: Serving Pregnant and Parenting Teens
A Role for Mentoring In Racine, Wisconsin: Serving Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Educational Attainment Presentation
Education Attainment Summary Report
Self-Assessment Rubric for Implementing Effective Dropout Prevention Strategies
Drug Free Communities evaluation for FOCUS on Community which includes a Four Core Measures survey to assess student perceptions and behaviors regarding drug and alcohol usage.
E-Mentoring Community-Based Research which studied the efficacy and utility of this emerging mentoring strategy and its potential of complementing existing approaches at area Mentor Kenosha & Racine supported programs.
Academic Achievement data collection and analyses to help inform the Racine County Higher Expectation Challenge One Committee focused on lifting up the County's K-12 schools.
Young Offender Re-Entry Program (YORP) evaluation for the Racine County Human Services Department which included individual participant assessments and analyses of youth recidivism rates and drug usage.
Data Entry and Analysis work for the Kenosha County Human Services Department
To learn more about community based research and evaluation projects conducted by students at UW-Parkside, please visit the website of the
Department of Sociology/Anthropology: Evaluation and Research Center
How Are Fees and Costs Determined?
Community-based research and evaluation efforts are supported in part through revenues generated through grants, contracts, and fees. We work in partnership with other organizations and agencies (assisting in the design and submission of projects and grant proposals), and operate on a "fee for services" basis. Costs are negotiated with CCP staff. Click here for a general description of the factors involved in determining costs.
Inter-Institutional Collaboration
Recognizing that our capacity to serve is limited by the size, scope, interests, and areas of expertise among our faculty and staff, the CCP also collaborates with Carthage College and Gateway Technical College. If we are unable to meet your organization's needs, members of the Community-Based Scholarship and Nonprofit Development team will work with partners at neighboring postsecondary institutions of higher learning to identify potential connections.
Program Staff
Mark Gesner,
Youth Development and Evaluation Director
Phone: (262) 595-2635 (UW-Parkside)
(262) 638-6622 (Racine County Workforce Development Center)
Fax: (262) 638-6972 (Racine County Workforce Development Center)
Julio Escobedo, Associate Research Specialist
Phone: (262) 595-2620
