My approach to research and scholarship is more like the approach of program evaluation. I do not get very enthusiastic for research just for the sake of knowledge collection. I do get very enthusiastic about program evaluation because I think it is a better use of time and resources. I think program transformation occurs with program evaluation. It is not just information for information sake.
For me, there are important differences between “research” and “program evaluation.” Research takes place in more precisely controlled settings. Program evaluation takes place, usually, in community settings that cannot and probably do not want to control for number of participants or to randomly select those who receive services and those who do not receive services. Research collects data in order to prove some hypothesis and to contribute to the general knowledge base in a professional field. Program evaluation collects information in order to judge the value or usefulness of specific, ongoing programming.
These were my research goals established for Academic Years 2010 to 2014:
- Renew appointment to the Research Graduate Faculty.
- Make presentations to a minimum of two international, national, or regional conferences
- Prepare or publish a minimum of two chapters in books or articles in peer-reviewed articles
- Mentor at least four undergraduates on research teams
- Participate in other possible activities (grant writing, etc.)