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Method 17: Research Projects
Projects are independent investigations that permit participants to explore topics in depth and to share their findings with others. Some suggestions for research projects:
- Help participants define their topics precisely and clearly, perhaps in question form (e.g., “How are people of color treated in my school or community?” or “Are schools re-segregating in my community?”);
- Make clear project goals, parameters, and deadlines; suggest research resources and techniques;
- Clarify the way in which results can be presented (e.g., written report, exhibition, artistic expression, poster, or web site);
- Include both objective findings and the participant’s subjective responses;
- Provide a way for participants to present their results publicly so others may learn from their research.
Case Study Research: While library or Internet resources are useful, projects can also draw on interviews and other “live” sources (e.g., studying community immigration patterns in the local cemetery; evaluating the route to school for disability access; creating statistics from personal observation). Such projects develop research skills, independent thinking, and cooperative learning and illustrate the links among issues, the local situation, and the range of conflicting views.
Internet Research: Where Internet access is available, many research projects can be accomplished electronically, including geography, statistics, documents, and newspaper articles.
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