Research and Evaluation
Our Approach
Through participatory community-based research and program evaluation, the Community Evaluation and Research Center (CERC) addresses complex human, organizational, and social issues. CERC incorporates a systems, development, and participatory approach.
Systems
At CERC we use systems theory as a way to understand the dynamic behavior of complex social and organizational systems. We believe that most social issues are complex in nature and cannot be understood without looking at a whole series of relating variables. when we work on a program evaluation, for example, we look at the entire system of factors (including history, geography, policy, environment, social context, and stakeholders) that may influence the outcomes that programs have for the intended clients.
Development
Development presupposes a process of learning though experience. At CERC, we believe that people learn by doing and improve with practice. For organizations that want to improve their programs, CERC promotes evidence-based practice as a form of developmental learning. Evidence-based practice means using that data to improve future strategies and interventions. Toward this end, CERC provides all partners with hands-on based practical, experimental training in monitoring and evaluation techniques.
Participatory
Participatory approaches to community-based research evolved as a result of the realization that the "expert knows best" approach to change isn't very effective. A participatory approach assumes that all stakeholders have equal value in the partnership and have equal decision- making control. If practiced genuinely, this process can be both educational for both researchers and community partners. In this approach, emphasis is placed on participation, capacity building and empowerment.
