Today (2/11) we switched gears from our historical analysis of what’s shaping (the future of) NYC, to discuss the research process, and how it can be integrated into efforts to shape change through community organizing.  In this class we will be using Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a general approach, which is concerned with not only academic knowledge, but also knowledge from personal experience and community/cultural knowledge- especially from those who are most affected by/involved with the focus issue.  From a PAR perspective, all of these kinds of knowledge are critical to the process of shaping change, whether through community organizing, public policies, or urban planning.

During class we charted the basic components/timeline of a PAR project, and we shared from our own experiences with these different pieces.  Your group projects will follow this general approach and incorporate all components, to some extent.  Soon you will be connected to your community contact, with whom you will craft your research questions and plan.  Before our next class, each of your groups should be preparing to meet with your community contact by learning everything you can about them and the focus issue.

Begin thinking about different ways to translate your issue into a research problem, using this as a guide: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/analyze/analyze-community-problems-and-solutions/define-analyze-problem/main. Start collecting information on your research problem, using this as a guide: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/collect-information/main. Gather a range of 9-10 materials, including recent research, and recent and historical media- at least 3 of each.  Note any difficulties you have understanding the research and we’ll discuss them.