BROKERING COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH
Evaluating the Impacts of U-Links Centre
for Community-Based Research on a Rural
Canadian County

Title

BROKERING COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH
Evaluating the Impacts of U-Links Centre
for Community-Based Research on a Rural
Canadian County

Author

Emily Amon, Stephen Hill, Jim Blake, and Marie Gage

Host Organization

Trent University, U-Links

Supervising Faculty

Stephen Hill

Date

2020

Location of Document

Online

Area

Haliburton County

Subject

Evaluation of the Impacts of U-Links on a Rural Canadian County

Abstract

We evaluate how the U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research (U-Links), a nonprofit organization that brokers research for community-based organizations with postsecondary institutions in Haliburton County, Ontario, has impacted this rural region of Ontario. Our approach uses contribution analysis and realist evaluation as layered tactics within one program evaluation. Data came from interviews with community partners (n = 26), interviews and focus groups with U-Links committee members, internal document review, and personal observations by the authors. We describe U-Links’ theory of change for how community-based research impacts community, discuss traits of successful community-based research, and suggest a set of five factors that may enable and affect positive community outcomes: relevance, rigor, reach, relationships, and resources.

Publisher

Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning,
Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2020

Files

Reference

Emily Amon, Stephen Hill, Jim Blake, and Marie Gage, BROKERING COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH
Evaluating the Impacts of U-Links Centre
for Community-Based Research on a Rural
Canadian County, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning,
Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2020, 2020