Research Methods  Students Learn By Doing

SO/SW 308 survey project helps the local community while developing skills

During Winter 2009, Dr. Mikhail Balaev’s SO/SW 308 class got some hands-on experience in research and provided some valuable community service at the same time. The class learned about survey research methodology by doing an actual survey as a group project for Tahquemanon Area Civic Center Project - a project of building a new community recreational center in Luce County.

The students designed a web-based survey for existing community or civic centers in the rural areas of the UP and surrounding counties in MI, WI, and one in Minnesota.  The survey helped determine how these existing centers function, what challenges they face, what their expenses/revenues are. This information was then used in the business proposal for the Tahquemanon Area Civic Center.

In addition to designing the web-based survey, the students  also conducted phone interviews with some of the civic centers representatives..

In addition to field placements for social work students and field projects for anthropology courses, Dr. Balaev's assignment in SO/SW 308 is one more example of how students can have real-world experience as part of their edcucation.  After completing SO/SW 308, students can further develop their survey research skills in SO 408 Survey Research: Design and Analysis.