A Research Shop project typically leads to a plain-language report (10-20 pages) prepared by a team of student researchers in response to your organization’s research question. Reports may include:

• A review of academic publications and/ or other online material;
• A scan of existing practices and initiatives;
• Results from questionnaires, interviews, and/or focus groups with identified service users, stakeholders or experts;
• Recommendations based on evidence;
• Materials to help you communicate your findings (e.g., infographics, pamphlets).

Research Shop projects are intended to help you and your organization make better decisions, improve your programming, and provide you with the evidence you need to apply for funding, support advocacy, and raise awareness.

Want to work with us? The first thing you’ll need to do is submit a research request with details about your project including its purpose, audience, and timeline. Next, Research Shop staff will contact you to learn more about the project and opportunities for collaboration. The Research Shop works on a semester-based schedule; projects can begin in September, January, or May.

Projects are considered when:

• We have student volunteers with the necessary interest and expertise;
• The project can be feasibly completed within an academic semester;
• The project stands to benefit the community and to offer a meaningful learning opportunity for volunteers.

Review examples of past projects to see the type what kind of requests we typically take on.

We work hard to scope projects with our community partners that meets their needs and provides volunteers with meaningful experiences. We aim to meet as many project requests as possible while providing quality supervision to volunteer teams.

If selected, our students will work over the course of an academic semester to gather information and write your report (or other deliverable that meets your needs). Depending on the scope of the project, some deliverables can be provided earlier within a semester, or extending into the next.

We look forward to working with you. Before submitting your request, please review our Research Shop Resource for Community Partners that provides more details about our model and the kinds of projects we take on. If you need help with your research question, review the document Turning Ideas Into Research Questions.

Research Associate

• Working with a Team Lead and in small teams over the course of an academic semester (volunteering an average of 5 hours/week),
• Attending weekly (or bi-weekly) team meetings,
• Conducting research,
• Co-authoring your team’s research report.

• Work with colleagues from across disciplines,
• Make connections with community organizations in Hamilton,
• Learn firsthand about the challenges facing today’s public and non-profit organizations,
• Translate your academic training to solve practical, pressing issues
• Build your CV and portfolio,
• Receive a statement of professional learning in the form of a reference letter or certificate.

• At minimum, Research Associates must have completed the third year of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Some research experience is preferred, such as the ability to locate and evaluate secondary sources, sound knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and/or the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Strong professional skills including the ability to work independently and in teams, meet deadlines, communicate effectively over email, and manage time efficiently.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to ask questions and give and receive critical feedback.
• Strong writing skills are an asset.
• Ability to meet with your team weekly or biweekly, ideally during workday hours. Students with extremely restrictive schedules are encouraged to reflect on their capacity to commit to weekly meetings and research activities.

We look forward to working with you. Before submitting your application, please review our past projects on MacSphere to get a feel for the kind of research we do. If you’re still interested, please apply through our website and a member of our team will contact you with the next application review date.