Qualitative Studies
Qualitative research expands the community development division's capacity for people-centered, rigorous data collection and analysis. Qualitative data includes anything non-numerical, including people’s words (spoken or text), human activity (how people interact with the built environment), the visual and aesthetic, and much more. Through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations, qualitative research uncovers rich narratives and diverse perspectives that quantitative data alone cannot capture.
Collaborative Policy Development Projects (2023-24)
To more closely connect the regional planning process with historically marginalized groups, community development researchers created an innovative, collaborative model for developing policy recommendations with residents. The first effort launched in 2023 and centered young residents, and a second effort in 2023 was designed for residents of all-ages. Each project involved hands-on workshops that enabled community leaders to engage peers and focus on the regional issues of greatest concern to them. The resulting policy recommendations are summarized in series of reports, posters, and presentations to the Metropolitan Council.
Transportation Needs in Daily Life Study (2023)
This study describes how the Twin Cities region's transportation system works for people who live here. The final report was published in 2023 and its findings were used to inform the 2050 Transportation Policy Plan.
Transportation planners at Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) commissioned consultants to engage historically underrepresented communities in a series of focus groups. Community development researchers were part of the project team and provided guidance on qualitative methods. Participants were asked about who they are and how that impacts their travel decisions. These personal stories provided insight and nuance about the regional transportation system that cannot be captured with surveys or transportation models.
Youth and Parks: Getting Outdoors Close to Home (2019)
Parks and open space offer young people multiple health and recreational benefits. However, little research had been conducted about the needs, motivations, and use barriers for youth to access the regional park system.
In 2018, community development researchers collaborated with regional park agencies, youth researchers, youth participants, and supportive adults from youth-serving organizations to explore this topic and inform regional policy. The Youth and Parks: Getting Outdoors Close to Home study generated rich findings and a toolkit for people interested in carrying out their own youth engagement efforts.