Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - GERO 411 D100

Special Topics in Gerontology II (3)

Intro Community Engaged Research

Class Number: 4335

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Jun 19, 2023: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units. Recommended: GERO 300.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Selected psychological, sociological, economic, biological and practical aspects of the aging of individuals and populations.

COURSE DETAILS:

Introduction to Community Engaged Research

This course offers an introduction to community-engaged research focusing on involving diverse members of the community across all stages of a project.

The community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach consists of principles, theories and methods of working which are important for health-related research because CBPR has been shown to effective for developing more  holistic and sustainable solutions for achieving positive health and wellbeing with and for the community. CBPR enables collaborative working (Jagosh et al., 2015). This is particularly true in complex projects that are characterised by participatory, action-oriented, people-centred research that requires input and participation from diverse stakeholder groups (Grigorovich et al., 2018). Principles, theory and methods derived from CBPR served to prioritise seldom heard voices and enhanced participation from all stakeholders throughout the entirety of the research process: in setting the aims and objectives; shaping the research’s design; and, establishing co-researchers in the collection and analysis and in co-designing the research product.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The aim of this module is to enable students’ to develop a foundational understanding of community-engaged research. The objectives are to instill an understanding of: (i) key CBPR concepts, (ii) participatory working principles in relation to research, (iii) theories that enable participatory working and (iv) methods that can be most effective for working with people who live and work in the community.

On completing this module, students will be able to demonstrate:

  1. An understanding of the underlying concepts of community-based participatory research.
  2. An understanding of key tenets of participatory research principles.
  3. An understanding of theories that can help to guide community-engaged research.
  4. An understanding of the different types of methods that can be used in community-engaged research.
  5. An understanding of the underlying concepts for effective communication and dissemination of research findings.

Grading

  • Class Participation 15%
  • Week 2 Reflexive Summary (~500 words) 15%
  • Week 3 Reflexive Summary (~500 words) 15%
  • Week 4 Reflexive Summary (~500 words) 15%
  • Week 5 Reflexive Summary (~500 words) 15%
  • Essay (1500 words) - A Vision for a Community-Engaged Research Project 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Sixsmith, A., Sixsmith, J., Mihailidis, A., & Fang, M. L. (2021). Knowledge, Innovation, and Impact in Health - A Guide for the Engaged Researcher. New York: Springer.


Required weekly readings will be shared in the course syllabus on the first day of class or via Canvas


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.