Community-Based Research
The Stetson University Community-Based Research program facilitates collaboration between faculty, student and members of the community to plan and conduct research. This program has a strong focus on using student research skills to address social problems found in the local community. Students learn to apply the theories and methods they have mastered in the classroom to real problems in the community beyond Stetson University, while community partners gain access to the rich research resources offered by the university. The result is a powerful learning experience for students and faculty, as well as a valuable research product for community partners.
Resources
The Center for Community Engagement offers a variety of resources to support students, faculty and community partners who would like to learn more about the community-based research process. These resources provide detailed information to support the successful implementation of community-based research projects across campus.
- Addressing the Needs of Volusia County Students (2008)
- Awareness of Workers' Rights and Aid Resources Among Farm Workers in the Pierson and Seville Communities in Florida (2013)
- Disaster Communication Needs of Elderly Residing in State-Registered 55+ Mobile Home Communities in Volusia County, FL (2007)
- Disaster Research in the Terra Mar Community and Review of Emergency Websites (2013)
- Disaster Vulnerability of Citizens in Pierson, FL (2007)
- Family Structure in the Spring Hill Community of DeLand, FL (2008)
- Investigating the Missing Link: Effects of Noncompliance and Aging Private Infrastructure on Water-Quality Monitoring (2018)
- Middle School Life, Home and Community Perception in the Spring Hill Community (2008)
- New Smyrna Urban Blight Project (2013)
- Spring Hill Community Needs Assessment (2015-16)
- Perceived Needs Assessment of the Homeless Community in West Volusia County, FL (2007)
- Perceptions of Youth Development Programs in Pierson, FL (2008)
- Pesticides and Sanitation in the Fields: Pierson, FL (2008)
- Walkability Assessment (2018)
- Cultural Heritage, Social Well-being, and Public Health of DeLand's African American Community: A Community Assessment (2020)
- Effects of Farm-related Risks and Exposure (2023)
The Center for Community Engagement offers template assessment forms for each stakeholder in the community-based research process for the purpose of collecting feedback.
Additionally, we have developed an academic department form to self-assess their engagement with community-based research initiatives.
Existing data is invaluable for informing and shaping a CBR project by providing context and showing where new information needs to be generated. Below are useful data from relevant agencies to incorporate into a CBR project:
One Voice for Volusia
One Voice for Volusia, an umbrella organization specializing in the collaboration and sharing of resources among non-profits and community agencies in Volusia County, has provided an extensive list of data sets on its Volusia County website. Their list includes essential agencies in the areas of health, economic development, education, youth services, transportation, and criminal justice.
Economic Development
Education
- TownCharts: Volusia County Education Data
- Florida DOE: School Accountability Reports
- Florida DOE: EduData Portal
General
List of project ideas by field
- Visual Arts
- Does Citrus Grove Elementary's DaVinci Program improve reading and artistic competencies?
- What are the most effective strategies for increasing interest and accessibility for community participation in art museums?
- What are the barriers to community access of the Hand Art Center?
- How do community members interact with downtown murals and understand their history?
- Performing Arts
- Does the Athens Theater's youth programs reach a diverse demographic?
- What is the relationship between theatre arts programs in schools and student achievement/motivation?
- What are the effects and learning outcomes of school music programs?
- What are the most effective strategies for developing after-school music programs for K–12 students?
- What impact does Instruments of Healing have on its intended community?
- Creative Writing & Literature
- Which skills related to creative writing (writing, creativity, problem solving, enjoyment of learning) are most needed in Volusia County Schools?
- What are best practices for including creative writing in high school curriculum?
- How much student interest is there for creative writing programs in schools?
- What resources are available for adults in DeLand seeking to improve their literacy skills?
- What is the impact of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library on literacy rates in Volusia County?
- Cultural & Historical Studies
- How much knowledge do DeLand residents have about Spring Hill racial history?
- What is the minimum and maximum amount of funding that should be considered for reparations for descendants of people who were enslaved in Western Volusia County?
- What are the names of people who were enslaved in western Volusia County before abolition?
- How does the African American Museum of the Arts increase residents' knowledge of DeLand's history?
- How can the African American Museum of the Arts increase its reach?
- What oral histories and traditions does the local Latino community have to share?
- How well do DeLand High School seniors understand the history of their community?
- How does the West Volusia Historical Society increase knowledge of DeLand history?
- Religious & Philosophical Studies
- What is the impact of teaching logic and ethics to elementary students?
- How do philosophy learning outcomes align with Volusia County Schools' core education outcomes?
- What are the best practices for introducing ethics into core K–12 curricula?
- How much of an economic impact do local churches and religious groups contribute to the community?
- What resources are available for minority religious groups in Volusia County?
- What is the impact of religious community and identity for Spring Hill residents?
- Entrepreneurship & Business Support
- What resources are available for entrepreneurs and business owners in Spring Hill?
- How can Overlap DeLand increase its reach and impact?
- What skill areas and types of jobs does the community report interest for obtaining?
- How much interest do local businesses have for becoming Green Building Certified by Green Volusia?
- What resources are available for family-owned businesses in DeLand?
- How much interest do family-owned businesses show for Green Volusia's Green Business Certification program?
- What are the most effective strategies for implementing corporate social responsibility programs with family-owned businesses?
- Business Environment & Law
- What local policies and regulations are barriers for business owners in Spring Hill?
- What are the best practices for LGBT+ inclusive business policies?
- What are the legal implications for Stetson adopting a position as a "sanctuary campus" for undocumented students?
- Economics & Economic Development
- What is the economic impact of annexing Spring Hill into the City of DeLand?
- What is the economic impact of New Smyrna Beach's single-use plastic ban?
- What is the economic history of the Spring Hill community?
- What is the economic impact of the Spring Hill community redevelopment agency?
- What economic barriers exist for business owners in the Spring Hill community?
- What are the barriers for business revitalization in Spring Hill?
- Finance & Accounting
- How well does United Way's financial literacy and Campaign for Working Families programs meet their intended outcomes?
- What is the return on investment for federal grants received by the Lacey Family/Spring Hill Boys and Girls Club?
- What are the most effective curricula for financial literacy programs in high schools?
- How would Spring Hill annexation affect resident tax rates?
- Marketing & Sales
- How effective is Persimmon Hollow's local branding campaign?
- What are the most effective digital marketing practices for nonprofits?
- How can Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida improve community knowledge of their services?
- How effective is United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties' "What's your Why?" campaign?
- What are the best practices for non-profit resource development?
- How can United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties better sell their story and mission to donors?
- How can community members be trained for sales jobs?
- Business Analytics & Technology
- How can the Early Learning Coalition create and improve a database for all non-profits completing early childhood developmental screenings?
- Does the Volusia Coalition for the Homeless' coordinated entry program meet its intended outcomes?
- What are the most effective models for non-profit grant database platforms?
- What computer and technology competencies do DeLand High School seniors have when graduating?
- How many jobs in Volusia County require computer science and technology competencies?
- School Programs & Curriculum
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- What factors do teachers self-report as to why they are leaving the profession?
- What are the most effective strategies for improving parent involvement in schools?
- How much intrinsic motivation do students have for learning and academic/career success in Spring Hill schools?
- Are Volusia County Schools' ESOL Programs meeting their intended outcomes?
- What are best practices for including creative writing in high school curriculum?
- Student Resources & Equity
- What local resources are available for undocumented students seeking college scholarships?
- What resources are available for speakers of Asian languages in school ESOL programs?
- Are ESOL students at DeLand High School less involved in extracurricular activities than their peers?
- Public Health
- How many Stetson students experience food insecurity?
- How well does Hispanic Health Initiatives improve its health outcomes?
- What health resources are available for low-income families in DeLand and Spring Hill?
- How effective is Volusia County Schools' sex education policy?
- Is the Advent Health Community Cares program meeting its intended outcomes?
- Mental Health & Psychology
- What is the prevalence of mental health concerns and use of mental health assistance services in Spring Hill?
- How does an individual's perceived locus of control affect their performance in school?
- Environmental Science & Sustainability
- How can local businesses decrease their consumption of water resources?
- How does participation in environmental education programs correlate with environmentally friendly personal habits?
- How can the Flood Resilient Lawns program increase its reach and impact?
- What are the health outcomes of the Flood Resilient Lawns program and other disaster prevention programs?
- What is the impact of invasive catfish populations on the local environment?
- Biology & Chemistry
- What is the relationship between water quality and health outcomes in DeLand/Spring Hill?
- What is the relationship between pesticide use in food production and water quality/soil health in Volusia County?
- What is the relationship between soil quality and availability of fresh produce in DeLand/Spring Hill?
- What are the lead levels for water supply in vulnerable communities?
- What is the impact of the Stetson Institute for Water and Environmental Resiliency?
- Agriculture & Food Systems
- How much interest is there in the Spring Hill community for a mobile food market?
- How effective is the Spring Hill community garden in bringing fresh food to the community?
- How does the school garden at McInnis Elementary affect student performance and behavior?
- Physics & Engineering
- How does participation in the robotics club at Pine Ridge High School impact academic performance and motivation?
- How effective is DeLand High School's physics education and department?
- Mathematics
- Does the Stetson Tutors math program at DeLand High School improve learning outcomes?
- Political Science & Civic Engagement
- What level of civic knowledge do DeLand residents have?
- How effective has the policy on school resource officers been?
- How does civics education impact voter participation levels?
- Do Volusia County Schools' civic education programs increase civic engagement in students?
- Sociology & Community Studies
- How are different attitudes toward law enforcement distributed across the DeLand/Spring Hill community?
- What is the prevalence and causes of frequent migration of families at Blue Lake Elementary?
- What is the impact of the Chisholm Center's homework program?
- What mental health resources are available for Spring Hill residents?
- Public Policy & Management
- What are the benefits and barriers to implementing Green Volusia's Green Business certification program?
- What has been the impact of the City of New Smyrna Beach's ban on single-use plastics?
- What is the relationship between a Volusia County Schools student's civic engagement education and their level of involvement?