Faculty,+community,+and+stakeholder+interests+in+evaluation+research

Julie Hatcher, Associate Professor, Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis [jhatcher@iupui.edu] Kelli Covey, Program Director, Project on Civic Reflection [ kellicovey@gmail.com] Nancy Castle, Professor, Illinois State [jhatcher@iupui.edu]
 * Faculty, community, and stakeholder interests in evaluation research: Case study of Project on Civic Reflection**

** Keywords: ** literature-based discussion, civic reflection, civic identity, nonprofit program

 ** Track: ** Program evaluation and assessment

 ** Format: ** Team presentation

**Date & Time:** Friday 2:00-3:10 **Location:** Salon 12

**Summary:** Staff from the Project on Civic Reflection, a nonprofit organization, partnered with a researcher to implement a study, Community Engagement on Illinois College Campuses, in Spring, 2011. The research study was built upon a prior qualitative program evaluation and was designed to evaluate the value of civic reflection for college students using quantitative survey and methodology. The questionnaire was designed to be implemented at 15 campuses across Illinois. Negotiating and collaborating across differences from key stakeholders, both in terms of the constructing the questionnaire and implementing the research, will be the focus of this presentation.

Literature-based discussion as a model of civic reflection is an effective way of increasing civic identity and deepening students’ commitment to service. When college students involved in community service activities are helped to understand the //complexities// of their service through literature-based reflection, their //commitment// to civic engagement is likely to deepen and continue. Based on this evidence, we conclude that the practice of literature-based group reflection has great potential to deepen understanding of civic engagement and strengthen civic identity.

Implications of this team presentation will be for attendees to hear from a nonprofit program manager, a researcher, and faculty and staff from two campuses to understand the complexities involved in conducting multi-campus research, rather than simply program evaluation. Issues such as Institutional Review Board, identifying comparable groups, feedback on campus-specific data, timelines for survey construction and implementation will be discussed. Lessons learned as well as recommendations on communicating across stakeholders will be discussed.

**References:** There were no references provided within this proposal.

 To download materials from this session please click on the file link(s) below.
 * Please click here to access a PDF of this page: **

**Please join the conversation about this session! To do so, please click on the "Edit" tab at the upper right, scroll back down to here, and lead the comment with your name.**

Kathy Steinberg--this looks like a really interesting session. I can't wait to hear what you have to share!