Minding the Gap: Using an Applied Research Center to Improve Student Learning

Abstract

Universities are under increasing pressure both internally and externally to demonstrate student learning outcomes generally and in the liberal arts and social sciences specifically. Internally, students and others often complain about the lack of direct connection between what they learn in the classroom and what happens, or what they perceive happens, in the real world. In addition, universities are often required to demonstrate to state and federal authorities the value of liberal arts and social science education. In this study, we use indepth interviews to demonstrating the value of an Applied Research Center (ARC) to help communicate value to stakeholders, close learning gaps, and foster university-community partnerships. Our findings suggest that an ARC can play an integral role in reinforcing student learning outcomes, increasing student career success, and establish disciplinary value to a variety of constituents.

Integrated Sociology Programs: Five Pillars to Guide Blended Curriculum Design

“…They can be an additional funding stream for academic departments, help pay faculty salaries or connect faculty with consulting work to supplement income, and are a mechanism for federal student work-study dollars to support students. ARCs differ across departments and disciplines, and sociologists have articulated the concept and value of ARCs in previous literature, which aligns with the purpose of this article, to leverage the utility of sociology as a marketable skill (Smell and Packard 2019). In ARCs, faculty teach courses or supervise projects at the centers.…”

“…By integrating an ARC into the ISP curriculum, the pedagogical approach integrates local industry partners as educators and mentors while serving the community by researching and evaluating innovative approaches to improving population health. ARCs have been shown to reinforce student learning outcomes, increase career success, and illustrate the value of academic training to community and industry partners (Smell and Packard 2019). Our ARC thrived on community connections made through local advisors, split faculty positions with public health professionals, adjunct professors from external organizations, and joint research projects.…”

“…ARCs can integrate curriculum and serve multiple purposes. The concept of ARCs has been articulated by Smell and Packard (2019) as a mechanism to enhance student learning outcomes and engage with industry partners. The ARCs provide a venue for students to access professional experience while working on real-world research projects for clients.…”

Community‐Engaged Sociology Within an University‐Based Research Center: Successes and Challenges in Doing the Work and Meeting Outcomes in an Institutional Context

“…Some researchers have provided in-depth overviews of the university research centers within which they work, highlighting their successes as well as the constraints they faced (e.g., see Berzin et al 2018;Winkour et al 2009). Focusing on student learning outcomes, Smell and Packard (2019) examined the impact of conducting applied research within the auspices of the Applied Research Center, housed in the sociology department at the University of Northern Colorado. Adopting a broader lens, Tural (2017) compares a set of seven university-based community design centers, seeking to understand whether and how they have changed over time, and identifying three distinct organizational structures.…”