the spectrum of community-based action research

The Spectrum of Community-Based Action Research

The Spectrum of Community-Based Action Research

Objectives: •  To provide a general understanding of the various

levels and types of community and student involvement in research

•  To discuss the challenges/limitations as well as strengths of this work through a case study

Action Research (Brydon-Miller 2003)

• “a participatory, democratic process concerned with developing practical knowing... It seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others, in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concerns…” (Reason and Bradbury in Brydon-Miller 2003, pp.10-11)

• “the key question [is] how we go about generating knowledge that is both valid and vital to the well-being of individuals, communities, and for the promotion of larger-scale democratic social change…. recognizing that all research is embedded within a system of values and promotes some model of human interaction, we commit ourselves to a form of research which challenges unjust and undemocratic economic, social and political systems and practices.” (Brydon-Miller 2003, p-11)

Community-Based Participatory Research (Israel et al 2010)

"   “a partnership approach that equitably involves… community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process. The partners contribute ‘unique strengths and shared responsibilities’ to enhance understanding… and to integrate the knowledge gained with action to improve… the well being of community members.” pp.48-9

THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY LOW-WAGE WORKER STUDY WEBSITE LAUNCH, PHOTO EXHIBIT & COMMUNITY DIALOG

This campus-community event will showcase the findings of a year-long research and multi-media project on workers and working conditions in low-wage jobs in Santa Cruz County. We will unveil a new public digital exhibit & website featuring the digital stories told by local workers, as well as the results of the large-scale survey and interview project carried out by UCSC students. Workers and students will also share their stories, testimonies & art work. The event will conclude with an open community dialog on issues facing low-wage workers in our County and possible steps forward.

For more information, please contact: Alina Fernandez ([email protected]) or Steve McKay ([email protected])

WORKINGfor DIGNITY

FREEOPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Co-sponsored by the UCSC Center for Labor Studies, Chicano Latino Research Center, Everett Program, Division of Social Sciences, UC Humanities Research Institute, California Rural Legal Assistance, SC Day Worker Center, Museum of Art and History

Research Center

Chicano Latino

Thurs. MAY 7, 2015 MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY7 - 9 PM 106 FRONT ST. SANTA CRUZ

Community-Initiated, Student-Engaged Research


Origins: confluence of interests to research agenda 1.  Center for Labor Studies

•  “puzzle” of poverty amidst of affluence

10.1 13.6 13.9 14.6 14.8 13.4

14.9 16.8

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Santa Cruz County Official Poverty Rate, US Census

One of only 4 coun5es in California where the poverty rate rose between 2012-‐2014


Origins: confluence of interests to research agenda 1.  Center for Labor Studies

•  “puzzle” of poverty amidst of affluence

2.  California Rural Legal Assistance •  noticed a shift of workers from agriculture

into low-wage services but found no reliable data on the trend


Research Process: 1.  Collaboratively hone research questions -

Ask partners: •  What do you “know”, but can’t prove? •  What don’t you know, but want to?

2.  Collectively develop Research goals:

•  collect base-line data on wages and working condition from a vulnerable, hard-to-reach population often missed on standard surveys and thus ignored by public policy and regulatory discussions.

•  Conduct outreach to low-wage workers about available services and worker rights

•  Get to the human experience behind the numbers and make it widely accessible;


Research Process: 3.  From Research Goals to Methods •  Large-scale survey

•  demographic information and work history; •  current or most recent employment; •  hours worked, including overtime; •  work and non-work related health issues; •  pay information; •  hiring and termination; •  discrimination and harassment; •  employer retaliation

•  In-depth interviews

•  experience of low wage work; •  what work means; •  networks and local labor market experience; •  assessment of workplace conditions; •  relations and experiences with bosses,

customers and co-workers


Research Process: 4.  Work with Undergraduates

•  to best reach a vulnerable and hard-to-reach population, involve students with language skills and backgrounds that can help gather the highest quality of data

•  Also opportunity for students to learn and apply research skills

•  4 research courses – over 100 undergrads on six teams

Surveys

Interviews

Digital Storytelling

Art & Photography

Data Management & Analysis

Website Design & Development


Knowledge Mobilization:

1.  listen, learn and document: •  students collected 1,303 valid surveys and 76 in-

depth interviews

2.  mobilize - produce a variety of “knowledge products” •  bring people and communities together, share

the research results with the widest audience, begin the conversation about the issues

3.  Organize! •  Develop community leaders, connect and train

people and orgs, and build strength around specific actions to address economic justice

Working For Dignity The Santa Cruz County Low-Wage Worker Study

Steve McKay Associate Professor of Sociology

Director, Center for Labor Studies University of California, Santa Cruz

with Ruben Espinoza and Steven Carmona Mora

Final Report, Fall 2015

Final Report available at: hOp://workingfordignity.ucsc.edu/

A WORKSHOP FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE Sponsored by the Economic Justice Alliance

Resurrection Church 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos 95003

10:00am - 12:30pm This workshop will offer 3 tracks for participants of all ages and backgrounds to learn, connect and take action:

Know your rights: direct worker outreach & education Affordable housing advocacy Organizing to raise the minimum wage

RSVP: [email protected]

23JAN

Sum: what are the benefits of such an approach? Value-added: (Chang et al 2013)

1.  helping ensure that the research question comes from, or is of genuine importance to, the local community;

2.  increasing trust and credibility with the community, which can in turn improve participation in research;

3.  enhancing the cultural acceptability of study instruments, often improving their validity;

4.  improving the design and implementation of interventions, increasing the likelihood of success;

5.  improving data interpretation;

6.  identifying and using new channels for dissemination;

7.  helping translate the findings into action that will benefit the community; and

8.  building individual and community capacity and leaving behind a community better able to study and address other health and social issues of local concern.

"   9:40-10:10 Breakouts:

"   Where are you and/or your community partner(s) on the “spectrum

of action research”? "   which elements central to action research do you incorporate? "   Which elements of community- based participatory research do you

incorporate?

"   Whose issues/topics? Community participation in Agenda Setting "   How do you figure out who “the community” is concerning your area of

interest? "   Who is “your community” on a particular issue? "   How do you choose community partners? "   How and why do they choose you? "   How do you know what their issues are?

the spectrum of community-based action research

Education