Studying Service-Learning : Innovations in Education Research Methodology

This volume represents a breakthrough discussion of the research issues surrounding innovative pedagogies. Using service-learning as its focus, it explores ways in which researchers and evaluators can study a teaching and learning approach that has multiple goals, including both academic and affective development. The chapter authors show how to study a topic that is multilayered, complex, and involves the ways in which individuals make meaning of their experiences. Seven challenges that researchers need to grapple with in studying service-learning are identified and addressed: defining service-learning; basing service-learning research on strong theoretical foundations; refining service-learning research design and methodology; interpreting service-learning results; disseminating service-learning research findings; improving service-learning practice; and building funding to support service-learning research. In addition, practical recommendations are provided for professionals involved in doing research on service-learning and more broadly on any form of experiential education, community service and development, or educational reform. Studying Service-Learning: Innovations in Education Research Methodologyis an essential resource for researchers who are interested in studying innovative teaching and learning strategies and for students who are learning about a range of research methodologies.

Jeffrey B. Anderson is Associate Professor of Education at Seattle University Lawrence Neil Bailis, Ph.D., is an Associate Research Professor at Brandeis University's Heller Graduate School and a Senior Research Associate at the School's Center for Youth and Communities Shelley H. Billig, Ph.D., is Vice President of RMC Research Corporation in Denver Dr. L. Richard Bradley is Director of the Service-Learning Curriculum Integration Project for small, urban high schools in Ohio for the John Glenn Institute for Public Policy and Public Service Marty Duckenfield serves the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University as director of publications and coordinator of all Center service-learning projects Dr. Carl Fertman, Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, is the founding director of the Pennsylvania Service-Learning Evaluation Network Andrew Furco is the founding director of the Service-Learning Research and Development Center at the University of California-Berkeley, where he serves on the Graduate School of Education faculty Deborah Hecht is a Project Director at the Center for Advanced Study in Education, The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York Don Hill is the Director of the Service-Learning 2000 Division of Youth Service California Jeffrey Howard is the Assistant Director for Academic Service-Learning at the University of Michigan's Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning Alan Melchior is the Deputy Director and Senior Research Associate at the Center for Youth and Communities at Brandeis University's Heller Graduate School Terry Pickeral is the Executive Director of the National Center for Learning and Citizenship at the Education Commission of the States Dr. Susan Root is Professor of Education at Alma College where she teaches courses in Educational Psychology, child and adolescent development, and early childhood education Robert Shumer is the former director of the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and the Center for Experiential Education and Service-Learning at the University of Minnesota Fredric Waldstein holds the Irving R. Burling Chair in Leadership and is Professor of Political Science at Wartburg College Alan S. Waterman (Ph.D., SUNY/Buffalo) is Professor of Psychology at The College of New Jersey Yolanda Yugar, Evaluation Specialist, Fund Development Services, Allegheny Intermediate Unit