Research Prototypes

Not sure what type of project to undertake? To give you some ideas, below are listed types of projects that the CoRAL Network  has undertaken in the past.  

Small scales surveys:  for example, of CBO clients' needs, or their evaluation of the CBO's services; of residents of a small community or particular location, to assess needs or interests.

Focus groups: with clients or targeted populations, to determine needs or interests; or to assess a program's operations.

Program evaluation: participant observations to assess the program's operations; reviewing client records to report program activities; interviewing clients and/or staff to attain their evaluations; quasi-experiments to test for fairness and equity of services.

Oral histories: undertake interviews to collect oral histories, based on neighborhood interests, or for an organization, or on a particular issue.

Data analysis: collect and systematize data from client records or other sources, compile and tabulate, produce reports of interest to CBO; analyze Census data or other primary data sources.

Community asset mapping: street-level collection of data regarding assets and liabilities of a community, entering data into database, produce mapping.

Policy research: examine and analyze policies in a particular issue area; explore policy options and alternatives; review pros and cons of alternative policy options

Best practices: examine similar programs to explore best practices from other programs, to review their program evaluation methods, devise program innovations.

Business planning: work with CBO staff to undertake strategic planning, outreach plans, marketing plans, devise training, and assess innovation implementation.

Web-site construction: work with CBO staff to collect materials for web site, design site map, construct organizational web site for CBO.

Popular education and outreach: organize and/or create materials for outreach or popular education forums, organize event, facilitate event, document and assess effectiveness of event.

Grant-writing: undertake organizational research on program effectiveness, community needs, and funding possibilities; write draft proposals.