Community-Based Research

Research is performed in the community; however, members in the community are not involved in the design of the research project. Community members may participate as subjects. The primary purpose of community-based scholarship is to contribute to the knowledge base. Results are made available to the public in order to document its overall impact. The general rules for establishing quality of scholarship apply (e.g., peer review, significance, possibility of replication).

Example: A faculty member approaches community members to participate as subjects in a research project where they must read a story while an MRI is conducted to ascertain brain activity.

 

Community-Engaged Scholarship

Research in this category requires partnership development, cooperation, negotiation, collaboration with community partners and a commitment to addressing local issues. It is conducted with and in full collaboration with members of the community. The primary purpose of community-engaged scholarship is to contribute to the knowledge base. Results are made available to the public in order to document its overall impact. The general rules for establishing quality of scholarship apply (e.g., peer review, significance, possibility of replication).

Example: A rural community health agency and community participants work hand in hand with university faculty and students from the health sciences area to effectively deal with specific issues related to health disparities in that community. The overall focus and intent would be to use proven research methods to document the efficiency, efficacy and impact of that collaboration.

 

Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning

This category encompasses community engagement that connects students and faculty with activities that address community-identified needs through mutually beneficial partnerships that deepen students' academic and civic learning.

Examples: Service learning courses, field experiences, work study or service learning clinical practicums

 

Outreach, Service and Volunteerism

These activities primarily use university resources and professional expertise to provide assistance to a community, agency or individual(s) based upon needs expressed by that community, agency or individual(s). In this category, the university primarily provides one-way activity, such as communication and service provision, to an external party. This category includes outreach involving students under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

Examples: Health fairs, public lectures, music concerts or volunteering