October 26 – Research Methods for Studying Foodscapes
Presentations
Class Content
In this class, we will share and discuss our individual research projects and plan our group action research project on campus-community food sovereignty at Bishop’s University. We will discuss how interviews with other campus farms and a World Café with campus and community stakeholders can help us identify opportunities to strengthen connections between Bishop’s Educational Farm and surrounding communities. Working in groups, we will establish roles, identify responsibilities, and plan the next steps for conducting our research.
Schedule
Welcome & Check-in
– Introduction and check-in
– Food for thought: Ethics and research
Individual Research Projects: Informal Presentations
Students will briefly present their individual research projects and discuss:
What is your research question? Why?
What research methods do you plan to use, and why?
Who or what will you study?
How will you conduct your research?
What ethical considerations should you address?
Group Action Research Project: Interviews & World Café
We will review the objectives of our group research project and discuss how we will organize the work.
– Review the research questions and objectives
– Discuss interviews with campus farms at other post-secondary institutions
– Discuss the World Café at Bishop’s University
– Organize research teams and establish responsibilities
– Consider research ethics, recruitment, and practical challenges
Group Project Planning Activity
Working in groups, students will complete the Group Project Planning Guide.
Each group will:
Identify the tasks needed to carry out its research activities.
Establish roles and responsibilities among group members.
Discuss how to recruit interview participants or invite people to the World Café.
Identify the resources, logistics, and support needed.
Establish immediate tasks, timelines, and next steps.
By the end of class, each group should have a clear plan for beginning its work.
Questions, Concerns & Comments
– Individual research projects
– Group project organization and expectations
– Questions, concerns, and comments