Places That Matter - by Joan Ferrante (Paperback)

About the Book

"Places That Matter: Knowing Your Neighborhood Through Data is for anyone who wants to learn the language (concepts) of research methods and to translate that language into action. Places that Matter is written with the of goal of both facing and easing these challenges by (1) transferring the intellectual energy required to learn the methods of research on to a place that matters; (2) systematically building readers' confidence to convert the abstract language of research into applied activity and action taking; and (3) guiding (really coaching) readers to create an action plan grounded in systematic research. Places that Matter is not a comprehensive overview of research methods. Rather, it is a book that seeks to build a solid conceptual and experiential foundation for wanting to learn more. This book assumes an action-based learning approach. Action-based learning (ABL) is a learner-centered approach. Places that Matter guides you through an action-based learning experience that is launched by identifying a specific place that matters to your life and then asking you to get to know the neighborhood that surrounds it. Each chapter is broken into a series of learning modules with related exercises that take between 10 to 90 minutes each to complete. The exercises include step-by-step instructions to complete an investigative task, move you through the project and cultivate the skill set important to succeeding in, and negotiating, a knowledge- and data-driven economy. That skill set includes possessing the problem-solving and analytic skills to gather data and make observations and then manage, manipulate, and make meaning from the data collected and observations made"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Places that Matter asks the reader to identify a place that matters in their life--their home, a place of worship, a park, or some other site that acts as an emotional and physical anchor and connects them to a neighborhood. Then readers are asked: In what ways do I currently support--or fail to support--that neighborhood? Should support be increased? If so, in what ways?

Joan Ferrante guides students through a learning experience that engages qualitative and quantitative research and culminates in writing a meaningful plan of action or research brief. Students are introduced to basic concepts of research and are exposed to the experiences of gathering and drawing on data related to something immediate and personal. The class-tested exercises are perfect for courses that emphasize action-based research and social responsibility. The book's overarching goal is to help students assess their neighborhood's needs and strengths and then create a concrete plan that supports that neighborhood and promotes its prosperity.

Accompanying the book is a facilitator's companion website to guide action-based research experiences, which includes rubrics that are aligned to common learning objectives and are also designed to make tracking and reporting easier.

From the Back Cover

"A fresh approach to learning applied research." --Lindsay Hixson, PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Oregon Health Authority

"Ferrante creatively coaches students through the research process, transforming it into a rich, action-based experience. She brings life to abstract terms and processes that students often struggle to understand." --Charles F. Klahm IV, Associate Professor, Wayne State University

"Places that Matter brings social research up close and personal by leading students on a research adventure into an important part of their world." --Earl Babbie, Campbell Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University

"Students will appreciate this experience-based approach to learning research methods. Professors will enjoy seeing these concepts come alive in their students." --Bobbie Ticknor, Associate Professor, Valdosta State University

"Demystifies the research process and shows how data can be used to improve neighborhoods." --Julie Hilvers, PhD, Director of Evaluation and Learning, Chicago Urban League

"Ferrante takes the fear out of research methods. A valuable resource for hands-on methods application." --Jaime McCauley, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Coastal Carolina University

"Ferrante has made learning about research relevant and accessible, and allows students to practice social research skills by taking real social action where it matters most: in their own communities." --Jennifer L. Harrison, Lecturer, Arizona State University

Review Quotes

"[T]he book provides an opportunity for readers to strengthen feelings of belonging, have their voice heard, and develop positive regard for one's place of residence. Places That Matter is well‐timed and useful for applied social scientists . . . as well as online and on‐ground instructors of undergraduate courses."-- "Rural Sociology"

About the Author

Joan Ferrante is Professor of Sociology at Northern Kentucky University, author of Sociology: A Global Perspective and Seeing Sociology: An Introduction, and coauthor with Prince Brown Jr. of The Social Construction of Race and Ethnicity in the United States. She is creator and director of the Mourning the Creation of Racial Categories Project.