Action Research Center Links

Action research is an advanced stage of civic engagement. It commonly results in primary research conducted through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and/or field work.
Links to other action research oriented programs can be found below.

• Professor Diane Austin, Bureau of Applied Research at the University of Arizona (BARA)
• Professor Phil Nyden, Center for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University - Chicago (CURL)
• UCLA Center for Community Learning

ARC welcomes students at all stages of development. Below you can find links to community opportunities suited to your level of engagement.

Level: Volunteer

Students can begin to build their skills and learn the rudiments of the best practices of primary research with even the brief contact and engagement provided by volunteer experiences.
Opportunities for short term volunteer experiences can be found below.

• United Way of McLean County
• Alpha Phi Omega
• Illinois State University Student Volunteer Center
• Circle K

Level: Service learning

Students may want to volunteer or work part time with a community partner.
Opportunities for trained volunteer experiences can be found below.

• PATH (Providing Access to Help) Crisis Hotline
• Habitat for Humanity

Level: Associate

Students who seek to develop advanced action research skills normally take the ARC seminar or internship. Students in these classes benefit from the ARC workshop.
Links to key primary research several tools and local databases are found below.

• American Fact Finder, US Census Bureau
• Survey Monkey
• City of Bloomington
• Illinois Natural History Society
• Illinois State Water Survey
• McLean County Regional Planning Commission
• River Network
• Town of Normal

Level: Autotelet

After taking either the ARC seminar or the internship (or both), students will have formed a viable relationship with a community partner. Students at this level have become community leaders capable of managing large projects on their own. On the basis of their community relationships, they will be able to consult with their partner about new projects, to develop new relationships with other community groups locally, or to lead in their new home after graduation. Students who seek the opportunity to develop their leadership skills at this level should consider the Weir Fellows program or the Peace Fellows program. Learn more about the activities and community achievements of ARC Autotelets here.