Researchers-in-training
2011-03-24 12:12:18
SACKVILLE, NB — A Mount Allison University sociology class, Community Based Research Methods, is collaborating with a local organization, the Tantramar Family Resource Centre, to improve family literacy. Together, they are developing a report on family literacy and assessing the extent to which local literacy services are accessible to the families who really need them.
When you think about family literacy the first thing that probably comes to mind is a parent reading a book to a child. However, family literacy encompasses much more than that. It involves story-telling, singing, video games, as well as daily activities such as making shopping lists, using a recipe, or reading a street sign. These are the numerous activities families do together and they underline the important role families play in developing literacy.
“Community-based research projects have become increasingly important in fields like public health, education, and sociology over the past several decades, largely because they are effective in reaching and including marginalized populations,” says the course instructor, sociology professor Dr. Vanessa Oliver.
“Community-based research respects the knowledge and experiences of community participants. I am really impressed with the skills and strengths everyone contributes to this project,” says sociology student Rachelle Gariepy. “Being in this class and conducting this research is a positive experience that encourages our growth as budding social science researchers, community members, and individuals. Our hope is that this research is rewarding and beneficial for the local families and service providers we are working with, as well.”
So far the students have completed a review of the literature on family literacy, written interview guides, and have begun recruiting participants for the study. According to Oliver, “the study speaks to community members and local service providers about literacy initiatives in the community and the ways in which families understand and approach literacy with their children.”
The study also looks at the barriers which prevent people from accessing existing services as well as which programs they find helpful. Their ultimate aim is to make recommendations to improve the way that family literacy programs are offered.
The students also took part in Family Literacy Day at Salem Elementary School in February. They made flubber, read, wrote letters, sang songs, measured, traced, and coloured with the children and their families.
“Being able to plan and conduct a research project is such an effective way of learning about research methodology. At a personal level, this class has really enriched my understanding of what it means to do ethical research and how as researchers in-training we can actively engage and collaborate with the communities we work in,” says sociology student Rebecca Cheff.
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