Active Research Methods (ARM): A Project to Align and Improve Research Methods Curriculum through Faculty Development, Hands-On Learning and Community Engagement

人类学（81）社会科学-其他（89）智力优点和目标：在人类行为的研究中，定性和定量研究之间出现了一种误导性的，不对称的二分法。这种二分法高度重视定量工作，而低估了定量和定性研究能力的重要性。 近年来，质的研究方法和那些“桥接”定性和定量研究方法的方法经历了许多创新和改进的周期。记录和分析技术的最新发展正在加速这一进程，这些技术创造了一系列新的和不断增长的强大工具和技术。积极研究方法（ARM）项目是1）创建一个课程，系统地带来定性，定量和桥接方法，本科生使用跨学科，动手，创新的教学法; 2）促进这一课程的实施与国家的最先进的教学实验室，使用基于社区的研究和服务学习作为指导模式; 3）建立一个学者联盟，寻求增加这些方法的知识和熟练程度。更广泛的影响：ARM项目正在接触来自阿克伦大学一系列学科的学生和教师。它刺激课程改革，鼓励教师发展和互动，所有这些都有望有助于学生的学习。 新的课程和教学实验室设施通过为学生提供尖端研究方法的经验来为学生服务。 我们多元化的学生团体中的许多学生寻求将直接转化为工作场所的技能。此外，以社区为基础的研究，特别是在公立学校的工作，使贫困的年轻人有机会接受中学后教育。学生，教师和社区正在从不断发展的研究方法及其在社区研究和服务学习中的应用中获得更高的专业知识。 联合会成员正在各自的学科范围内加强能力建设，以改善教学和自己的研究及出版物。

Anthropology (81)Social Sciences - Other (89)Intellectual Merit and Goals: A misleading, asymmetrical dichotomy has developed between qualitative and quantitative research in the study of human behavior. This dichotomy places high value on quantitative work and underemphasizes the importance of competence in quantitative and qualitative research combined. In recent years, qualitative research methods and those methods 'bridging' qualitative and quantitative approaches to research have undergone many cycles of innovation and improvement. This process is being accelerated by recent developments in recording and analytic technologies which have created a new and growing range of robust tools and techniques. The Active Research Methods (ARM) Project is 1) Creating a curriculum that systematically brings qualitative, quantitative and bridging methods to undergraduates using interdisciplinary, hands-on, innovative pedagogy; 2) Facilitating the implementation of this curriculum with a state-of-the-art teaching laboratory that uses community-based research and service-learning as a guiding model; and 3) Establishing a consortium of scholars seeking to increase knowledge and proficiency with these methods. Broader Impact: The ARM project is reaching students and faculty from a range of disciplines across the University of Akron. It is stimulating curricular change and encouraging faculty development and interaction, all of which are expected to contribute to student learning. New coursework and the teaching laboratory facility are serving students by giving them experience with cutting-edge research methods. Many students within our diverse student body seek skills that will translate directly to the workplace. Additionally, the community-based research, especially the work in public schools, is exposing under-privileged younger people to the possibility of post-secondary education. Students, faculty and the community are gaining from heightened expertise with the evolving range of research methods and their application in community-based research and service-learning. Consortium members are tooling-up within their disciplines to improve both their teaching and their own research and publications.