Research Framework

Our research has significant local and national implications. Full-service community schools are evidence-based models that address racism and poverty that often land on the doorsteps of public schools. Together, through our research experience, Duke and North Carolina Central University have the capacity to build resources, strategies and political will for the expansion and sustainability of community schools here in Durham.

We structure our year-long research experience into four major sections:

• Context Setting
  • The majority of the members of our team are not from Durham. Many are also not initially knowledgeable about the community schools model. The first several classes familiarize students with our project, building an understanding of Durham and how our research impacts Durham schools.

• Literature Review/Site Visits
  • One of our most valuable assets is our partnerships with other university-assisted community schools programs around the country.  We draw inspiration from these partners, incorporating their strengths into our work in Durham. After doing research online, our team visits these universities to meet with experts and witness community schools firsthand.

• Research Methodology & Analysis
  • We educate our team, especially students with little or no prior background in social science research, on research methodology and the data analysis process. In our subteams within the larger research team, we formulate research strategies and gather data. Some examples include focus groups, surveys, and school visits. We then analyze this data and create final products.

• Present Findings
  • Following the creation of our final products, we present our findings to numerous audiences. Members of our team have presented at the Bass Connections Showcase each year, as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Meeting of the Minds, Stanford Research Conference, Duke Data Dialogues, University-Assisted Community Schools National Network monthly calls, and more.