Getting Started as a Student Researcher

Whether you are looking to get your feet wet in your major field of interest, get some real work experience under your belt, or make a difference in the community you live in, participating in community-based learning or research (CBLR) projects are an amazing way to engage in our community in a worthwhile and effective manner.

A good place to start is to check with your university's office of service/community learning or other appropriate office to find out what CBLR courses are offered at your school (and through the DC area Consortium).  If you are already enrolled in a CBLR course that allows you to match up with a community partner of your choosing, create  a profile for your research interests or project in our online Project Finder database application.  Then, browse through project profiles posted by community organizations and members to see whether any current ones match your course requirements and topic interest.   Be sure to check with your professor or instructor for approval before contacting any community agency.

Be sure to check out our Resources section for examples of research prototypes, references, reading lists, and links including useful online research tools for survey creation and communication.   For further information on how to get started, contact us at info@coralnetwork.org.