Research: Published articles about Community Development
Staff and consultants to the Extension Center for Community Vitality regularly conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and to explore issues related to community development. We use this research to modify existing programs or develop new ones that better meet the needs of Minnesota communities.
We share these research reports in the hope they can benefit the field of community development, community leaders, business people and anyone interested in improving the health and vitality of our state.
Community Development Research Reports
Also see Program Research and Case Studies
- Community Leadership: What Does It Take to See Results? (133 K PDF)
- By Donna Rae Scheffert, Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota
- Used with permission, Association of Leadership Educators
- Journal of Leadership Education, Winter 2007
- Primary Research Focus: Leadership Education
- If your community is looking for more committed and competent leaders, what type of educational intervention will get the best results? Our leadership program engages with organizations and communities to strengthen leadership
- The Effects of Leadership Development (690 K PDF) — Individual Outcomes and Community Impacts-A U-Lead Impact Study
- By Stephanie Lott and Scott Chazdon, Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota
- Self-published, January 2009
- Primary Research Focus: Leadership Education
- How does participation in U-Lead programs strengthen individual lives and promote the vitality of communities and organizations? This study of three U-Lead programs conducted in greater Minnesota provides some answers.
- Readiness for Engagement — A Qualitative Investigation of Community Social Capacity
- By Stephanie Lott and Scott Chazdon, Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota
- Self-published, May 2008
- Primary Research Focus: Community Readiness;
- Secondary Research Focus: Social Capacity
- This study of nine communities uses social capital frameworks and an examination of leadership energy to consider stages of readiness for community action. This is valuable information for making strategic decisions on how and when to engage communities in long-term initiatives.
- Strengthening Social Capital to Tackle Poverty (1.2 MB PDF)
- By Donna Rae Scheffert, Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota
- Used with permission, Center for Rural Policy and Development
- Rural Minnesota Journal, Fall 2008.
- Primary Research Focus: Poverty
- Secondary Research Focus: Social Capital
- Women have a higher chance of winding up in poverty, especially if they are single mothers. Does moving to a rural community help or hurt mothers in poverty? Are there simple ways communities can assist families in poverty to give them a hand up?
- Using a Comprehensive Leadership Framework as a Scholarship and Teaching Tool (101 K PDF)
- By Kim Boyce, Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota
- Used with permission, Association of Leadership Educators
- Journal of Leadership Education, Fall 2006
- Primary Research Focus: Leadership Education
- Educators who work in community settings often encounter participants with a wide array of individual leadership beliefs, attitudes, and experiences. How can educators identify and use tools and methods that connect with participants’ real-life leadership experiences?
Contact Information
Scott Chazdon
Evaluation & Research Coordinator
University of Minnesota
Extension Center for Community Vitality
466 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Email: schazdon@umn.edu
Phone: 612-624-0982
Fax: 612-625-1955
Program Research and Case Studies
Access E Internet Education
Business Retention & Expansion
- BR&E Case Studies
Through business surveys, analysis of findings, and sustained community action, cities and counties are making business retention and expansion (BR&E) efforts work. Extension examined communities with successful BR&E efforts in 2006; these case studies tell their stories.
- Research on BR&E Visitation Programs
Extension studied three rural Minnesota communities’ participation in the BR&E program in 2001. Communities targeted general business, tourism and farms, respectively, with impressive results.
U-Connect
- Bridging Brown County Case Study: Connecting Communities and Finding a Future (1.58 MB PDF)
Can traditionally disconnected communities learn to communicate, collaborate and solve unique issues facing rural communities? This effort in Minnesota says the answer is yes.
U-Lead
- Growing Minnesota Leaders: U-Lead Evaluation 2002-2004 (230 K PDF)
Review the program outcomes of Extension’s U-Lead program in Minnesota in 2002-2004.
- Growing Minnesota Leaders: U-Lead Evaluation 1996-2002 (219 K PDF)
Review the program outcomes of Extension’s U-Lead program in Minnesota in 1996-2002.
