PSYC 4510: Community Psychology

This research guide will lead students taking
PSYC4510: Community Psychology through the Research-to-Action Project.

This semester-long project is worth 150 points and allows you to engage deeply with a social issue of your choice. By identifying, researching, and proposing strategies to address the issue, you will apply community psychology principles to real-world problems. The project will be divided into three main parts, all building on each other. This is the largest portion of your grade, so please be diligent. Detailed instructions and rubrics for each section are provided in iCollege.  

After reading the assignment overview, below, click through the tabs to the right to delve deeper into each component.

1. Selection and Research (30 Points):

• Task: Choose a social issue that resonates with your interests. Conduct comprehensive background research to understand the issue's history, current impact, and relevance. Submit a brief report (2 pages) summarizing your findings. This report should provide a foundational understanding of the issue and set the stage for deeper analysis. Click here to learn more about this task.

2. Critical Analysis (60 Points):

• Task: Analyze how the chosen social issue affects specific populations and the factors contributing to the problem. Consider both the direct and indirect impacts on the community. Produce an in-depth analysis (3-4 pages) that identifies potential strategies for mitigation and outlines the role of community psychology in addressing these issues. Click here to learn more about this task.

3. Strategy Proposal and Communication (60 Points):

• Option A - Communication Strategy:

Task 1: Develop a communication plan that outlines your objectives, key audiences, and key messages. Identify and prioritize three potential audiences and plan your communication strategy tailored to the most important audience. Click here to learn more about this task.

Task 2: Create an infographic summarizing the key information from your research and analysis, targeting your identified audience. Ensure the communication is clear, concise, and accurately reflects your findings. Click here to learn more about this task.

• Option B - Organizational Analysis:

Task 1: Identify an organization addressing the social issue and write a brief overview of its mission and structure. Click here to learn more about this task.

Task 2: Align the organization's approach with your research, assessing its impact on the relevant populations and issues.

Task 3: Construct a logic model detailing the organization’s strategies, expected outcomes, and long-term impacts. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the organization’s approach from a community psychology. Click here to learn more about this task.