Center for Social Research

FACT 2005 National Survey of Congregations

The Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR) at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut has recently begun releasing results from the 2005 Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey. CSR conducted FACT2005 under contract to HIRR’s initiative, the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership (CCSP). The project included a massive data-cleaning and automation effort to create a clean sample and an innovative online-and-mail hybrid survey approach using the Center’s Inquisite survey software installation. Under our contract with CCSP, the FACT2005 data is available to Calvin faculty interested in analyzing it; contact the Center for details.

New student Research Assistants

CSR has hired rising senior Dale Yi (a major in Psychology and Economics) and rising sophomore Nehemiah Chu (Religion and Communications) to join our team beginning in Summer 2006. They will join Gwen Einfeld (Engineering) and Mark Van Holstyn (Computer Science) in supporting CSR projects through the summer.

There is some possibility of additional hiring for Fall 2006. Candidates, especially those with technical skills with statistical analysis, databases and information management, are welcome to apply. Visit the CSR Jobs page to see job descriptions and apply online.

Employment Opportunities

CSR is not currently hiring; the next hiring time frame will likely be no earlier than fall 2013. We do keep impressive applications from current Calvin students on file, though, if you want to get on our radar now.

Student Research Assistants

Student research assistants support and manage ongoing projects. Common tasks include data entry and audio transcriptions, but the RA job is primarily about problem-solving in response to unique project needs. We seek out applicants with strong personal initiative, who can take responsibility for meeting project deadlines and communicate clearly with on- and off-campus clients. Due to the extensive training we provide for our research assistants, we are particularly interested in students who have at least one or two years left at Calvin.

CSR offers a unique opportunity to develop academic research skills, technical knowledge and business teamwork. If you have the motivation, we will help you to further develop your abilities. For more details on skills and qualifications, view the full job description below.
Contact CSR about this job | View job description [PDF] | Apply online | Current staff

Research Specialist

Research Specialists are full- or part-time employees with exceptional interests and/or skills in technical field(s), such as statistical analysis, computer programming, database management, geographic information systems (GIS), web sites and graphic design, etc. Specialists may be project managers for technical projects and may supervise and train undergraduates involved in related research tasks. The Research Specialist position is a full-time, 1- to 2-year appointment for recent Calvin graduates only.

CSR offers a high-caliber opportunity to develop your resumé through learning academic research skills, technical knowledge, and business teamwork. This is a prime opportunity for graduating seniors interested in gaining practical experience before applying to graduate school in the Social Sciences. For more details on skills and qualifications, view the full job description below.
Contact CSR about this job | View job description [PDF] | Apply online | Current Staff

Research Associate

The Research Associate assists in the management of ongoing campus and community projects. As part of this project management, the Research Associate supervises, trains, and supports the student research team. The Research Associate is responsible for assigning project work, making and meeting deadlines, preparing data, conducting data analysis, and working alongside the other CSR staff to meet project goals. We seek out applicants with strong personal initiative, who have a background in statistics, familiar with the Social Sciences, and who possess the ability to communicate clearly with on- and off-campus clients. The Research Associate position is a full-time, 1- to 2-year appointment for recent Calvin graduates only.

CSR offers a high-caliber opportunity to develop your résumé through learning academic research skills, technical knowledge, and business teamwork. This is a prime opportunity for graduating seniors interested in gaining practical experience before applying to graduate school in the Social Sciences. For more details on skills and qualifications, view the full job description below.
Contact CSR about this job | View job description [PDF] | Apply online | Current Staff

Contact Us

CSR is located in the Raybrook Building, 2041 Raybrook St SE, across Burton Street from the main campus and south of Calvin Theological Seminary. Our mailing address remains the college address at 3201 Burton St. SE.

For more information contact:
Center for Social Research
Calvin College
Raybrook Building 2041, Suite 103
3201 Burton Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Email: csr@calvin.edu
Phone: (616) 526-7799
Fax: (616) 526-7683

Meet the CSR

Origin

The Calvin College Center for Social Research (CSR) was created by the Calvin Department of Sociology in 1970 in response to increasing numbers of faculty requests for research assistance. Since then, the CSR has grown into an independent center, supporting all of the social science departments of Calvin College as well as the broader community. Throughout its history, CSR's top priorities have been to promote excellence in research, both on campus and in the community.

Mission

The Center for Social Research aims to serve as a catalyst for scholarly research in the social sciences. Through research we seek to be agents of renewal in the academy, church, and society.

Commitments

• Research: promote basic and applied research of the highest quality by encouragement, example, and engagement with the college’s social science community.
• Partnership: undertake collaborative and community-based research with scholars, organizations, and institutions at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
• Faculty Development: enhance the scholarly community in social sciences at Calvin College.
• Student Involvement: provide opportunities for students to develop their research skills in a mentoring environment.

Staff
		Neil Carlson, Ph.D., Director, received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University in 2004 and served as Assistant Director of the CSR from 2004 to 2011. He supports design of social research projects from the big questions to the technological nuts and bolts, including project management and budgeting, instrument design, database design, data visualization, statistical analysis, report writing and interactive presentation of study data. Curriculum Vitae (PDF).
		Tom Sherwood, B.S.W., Research Associate, graduated from Calvin College with a degree in Social Work. He works as a supervisor for the student staff and is responsible for project implementation.
		Zig Ingraffia, B.A., Research Specialist, is a Calvin graduate with a major in Psychology. Zig offers research and project support for CSR clients.
		Traci Montgomery, B.S., Research Specialist, graduated from Calvin College, majoring in Mathematics and Geography. Traci works at CSR as a database administrator for various projects.
		Kristen Napp, B.A., B.S.W., Research Specialist, graduated from Calvin College, majoring in Spanish and Social Work. Kristen offers research and project support for CSR clients.
		Kathy Bardolph, B.A., Administrative Assistant, a Calvin English and German graduate, offers administrative, clerical, and project support to the Center.
Student Staff Team: The Student Research Assistants are comprised of a team of Calvin students who are constantly being trained in new research tools and practices. Currently, we have six students on our team:
		Leah Hoogstra, a senior with majors in Mathematics and International Development, started working with us during the spring of 2012.
		Michael Kelly is a junior, studying Psychology and Writing, and he's been with us since May 2012.
		Melissa Lubbers is a senior majoring in Psychology and Social Work, interned with CSR during the spring semester of 2012 and is now a part of the research assistant team.
		Daniel Molling is a senior Economics major with minors in Mathematics and Business. This past summer Dan did full time research with Economics Professor Steve McMullen. In the future, Dan plans to attend graduate school in Economics.
		Shawntavia Stewart is a sophomore and in a pre-med program with concentrations in Kinesiology and Recreational Therapy.
		Lauren Muñoz studies Sociology and Spanish and is currently in her junior year. She plans to spend a semester in Peru in the Fall of 2013.

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