RESEARCH IN THE SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

Heidi Unruh

"May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be … filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes

through Jesus Christ."

(Philippians 1:9-11)

Ultimate Goal of Research

UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH

WORKSHOP AGENDA

• Understanding research

• Why research

• Research methods

• Research models

• The “work” in “workshop”:

Case studies

What is research?

• Research is the systematic gathering of valid information for use in problem-solving, decision-making, or progress toward a goal.

• to help answer a question, address a problem or move toward a goal

• Types of research: – quantitative / qualitative– academic / action

What is research?

• Stages of research: – posing the question– gathering data – organizing data– analyzing data– disseminating findings– applying / acting on findings

Dynamics of research

• Intellectual: expand our base of knowledge about God's world and our role in it

• Practical: inform effective action, generate support for action

• Ethical: collect and use information in a valid way – minimize potential for abuse

• Relational: empower the community by engaging stakeholders as co-learners

• Spiritual: connect what's happening "on earth" with God's will "in heaven"

Research Ethics?

Research terminology• Investigative framework: Larger context or

narrative in which research question is framed• Objective: What you hope to learn – often

involves testing a hypothesis • Measurement: Units of change or qualities

being compared • Standard: External baseline or control group

against which subjects of investigation are measured

• Stakeholders: All who have an interest in or are affected by the research

How a missional theology informs research

• Investigative framework: Connecting the Biblical story and our story

• Objective: Informed, contextually appropriate participation in God’s mission

• Measurement: Seeing the world and our role in it through God’s eyes

• Standard: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” – prophetic imagination

• Stakeholders: Community of God’s children – loved, redeemed and called by God

WHY RESEARCH

How research can inform ministryApplications of research to CCD goals:• Context – "exegete community“; discern social / cultural / historical

/ spiritual dynamics

• Problem – define what needs to be done

• Resources – discover assets in church and community

• Priorities – narrow the focus of ministry efforts

• Methodology – best way to use resources to meet missional goals in your context

• Impact – are we solving the problem or meeting our goals?

• Program – process of evaluation and growth (assess / learn / plan / respond)

• Vision – what are our goals? How do we define success?

• Relationships - who will work toward a shared vision?  

Key ministry research questions:

1. "What's really going on here?" ~ How do we discover and strengthen what is

vital, true and good in our culture, community and organization?

~ What are the main concerns, assets and dreams in our community?

~ How does the unseen affect what is seen: what systems, power structures, cultural influences, historical trends and spiritual forces influence the current situation?

Key ministry research questions:

2. "Who's involved?"~ Who are the stakeholders and what are

their perceptions of the situation?

~ How can stakeholders be involved collaboratively in the solution?

~ Who else has worked or is working on a similar or connected concern?

Key ministry research questions:

3. "What do we do about it?"~ What are priority ministry goals for our

organization, in relation to other stakeholders and partners?

~ What are best practices (programs, policies, organizing strategies, etc.) to achieve a particular ministry goal, given our context?

~ How do we share the gospel and promote wholeness in contextually appropriate ways?

Key ministry research questions:

4. "How are we doing?" ~ Is our ministry having an impact? How do we

make it better?

~ How do we connect the biblical model with our observations of the world?

~ Are we being faithful to God's mission for the church in general, and our organization in particular?

Naming your research question: What do you want to learn?

1. "What's really going on here?"

2. "Who's involved?"

3. "What do we do about it?"

4. "How are we doing?"

METHODS OF RESEARCH

Methods for gathering information:

• Ask people

• Gather documents

• Make observations

• Count things

• Collect measurements

• Use instruments

• Employ 3rd party

Connect with existing research:

• Universities, colleges, seminaries • Government offices• Civic groups• Census data (quickfacts.census.gov)• Foundations• Denominational / ecumenical research

offices and commissions• Research organizations / policy institutes• Research consultants / professional

evaluators

Methods for analyzing information:

• Clustering / hexagoning

• Flowcharts

• Spreadsheets

• Correlations

• Statistical analysis

• Theme analysis

Methods for sharing information:

• Tables & charts

• Maps

• Reports

• Stories (case studies)

• Multi-media

• Roundtable

• Seminars / workshops

Methods for sharing information:

• Tables & charts

• Maps

• Reports

• Stories (case studies)

• Multi-media

• Roundtable

• Seminars / workshops

Identifying your methods:How will you get and use

information?

1. Identifying existing research

2. Methods for gathering new information

3. Methods for analyzing information

4. Methods for sharing information

RESEARCH MODELS

(a framework for gathering and making sense of information)

Logic Model

• Can be used for any of the research questions, but particularly useful for “How are we doing” (evaluation) questions

• Visual representation of the link between inputs / results

Logic Model

(S + P) I (+ E) O R

S = Situation (needs, strengths, symptoms, causes, stakeholders)

P = Priorities (mission, values) I = Inputs (resources – what we invest) E = External factors – environmental influences) O = Outputs (activities – what we do; participation

– who we reach) R = Outcomes (Results – impact in short-,

medium-, long-term)

Indicators

• "Something that helps you understand where you are, which way you are going and how far you are from where you want to be" (sustainablemeasures.com)

• Help us frame a vision for ministry: what would our community look like if the kingdom of God were realized here as it is in heaven?

• World Vision indicators: "Transformational development seeks to restore and enable wholeness of life with dignity, justice, peace, and hope." (transformational-development.org)

Indicators

• Identify sustainable measures of success

• Particularly helpful model for “What’s going on here?” and “What do we do about it?”

Indicators

Compass of indicators (optimalniche.com, © AtKisson.com):

N = Nature

E = Economy

S = Society

W = individual well-being

Center = Spiritual condition

Outer circle = Built environment

Participatory Action Research

• Not really a methodology but a guiding approach • “A reflective process of progressive problem

solving lead by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a “community of practice” to improve the way they address issues and solve problems.” (Wikipedia)

• Can apply to various models and research questions

Participatory Action Research• Qualities of PAR:

– Participatory: clients, informants, and other stakeholders are involved as active participants in the research process

– Qualitative: more interested in subjective data and descriptive measures than objective data and numerical indicators; can be “fuzzy”

– Reflective: includes critical reflection on the process and outcomes of research

– Emergent: involves multiple, open-ended research cycles; good for contexts in flux or where research question is not yet clear

Participatory Action Research

• Cyclic process in 4 basic phases: – Engage (identify stakeholders and plan

participation in research question)– Look (gather information about the research

question) – Think (interpret and analyze information in

real time, involving stakeholder feedback)– Act (plan and implement actions based on the

research, leading to change

• Initiate new cycle

Participatory Action Research

Observation / data gathering

Reflection / critical analysis

Planning & action

See materials on Action Learning and Action Research, edited by Bob Dick, www.scu.edu.au

Other research models:

• Experimental / quasi-experimental model

• Outcome evaluation

• Congregational assessment

• Community assessment

• Appreciative inquiry

• Vision search

Choosing your model

What model or framework will guide your research process?

Want to learn more …?

Join the research track at SCUPE!

April 15-18, 2008 Chicago

For more information: unruhheidi@aol.com