Center for Social Research http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr en me23@calvin.edu Copyright 2008 2008-06-17T14:46:01-05:00 Congratulations Graduates! http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/congratulations_graduates1/ The CSR congratulates five of our student workers who graduated from Calvin this year. Gwen Einfeld, Kirsten Anderson, Jeremy Chacko, Gerald Egede and Emily Oosterhouse were each at the CSR for over a year, and now they seek to employ themselves in various exciting fields: • Gwen, an Engineering graduate, is pursuing a graduate degree in Engineering at the University of Purdue • Emily, having completed Calvin’s Psychology, Pre-Law and Business programs, is going on to study Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver • Gerald, an Accounting major, is pursuing a graduate degree in Business or Accounting in the United Kingdom • Kirsten, graduating with a degree in English will be teaching English in Cairo, Egypt and may continue working in the field of social research in English. • Jeremy, graduate of Calvin’s History and Political Science programs, will be working at the Yellow Stone National Park During their time at the Center, the graduates handled projects ranging from data entry to survey design and administration. The CSR bids farewell to the graduates who will be sorely missed. News, Events, People, Students

The CSR congratulates five of our student workers who graduated from Calvin this year. Gwen Einfeld, Kirsten Anderson, Jeremy Chacko, Gerald Egede and Emily Oosterhouse were each at the CSR for over a year, and now they seek to employ themselves in various exciting fields:
• Gwen, an Engineering graduate, is pursuing a graduate degree in Engineering at the University of Purdue
• Emily, having completed Calvin’s Psychology, Pre-Law and Business programs, is going on to study Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver
• Gerald, an Accounting major, is pursuing a graduate degree in Business or Accounting in the United Kingdom
• Kirsten, graduating with a degree in English will be teaching English in Cairo, Egypt and may continue working in the field of social research in English.
• Jeremy, graduate of Calvin’s History and Political Science programs, will be working at the Yellow Stone National Park

During their time at the Center, the graduates handled projects ranging from data entry to survey design and administration. The CSR bids farewell to the graduates who will be sorely missed.

]]> 2008-06-17T14:46:01-05:00 KCCS Progress http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/kccs_progress/ With over 500 interviews completed, we have transitioned to the next phase of the Kent County Congregations Study. Over the next few months, we’ll be busy analyzing the data and organizing key findings for our reports. We also plan on having a public event later this year to celebrate the completion of the project and share some of the findings. KCCS is as a study of educational and social service provision by religious congregations in Kent County, Michigan. Many of the congregations we interviewed reported involvement in a variety of programs aimed at benefiting their communities. News, Events, Projects, Kent County Congregations Study With over 500 interviews completed, we have transitioned to the next phase of the Kent County Congregations Study. Over the next few months, we’ll be busy analyzing the data and organizing key findings for our reports. We also plan on having a public event later this year to celebrate the completion of the project and share some of the findings.

KCCS is as a study of educational and social service provision by religious congregations in Kent County, Michigan. Many of the congregations we interviewed reported involvement in a variety of programs aimed at benefiting their communities.

]]> 2008-05-30T18:58:01-05:00 VanAntwerp presents engineering retention findings at ASEE http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/asee_2008_presentation/   Engineering professor Dr. Jennifer Jewett VanAntwerp will present findings from a pilot study of engineering student retention at Calvin at the annual conference of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) on Tuesday, June 24 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The presentation will describe a new measurement model that attempts to document students’ experiences of seven important dimensions of engineering education, including recruitment efforts, the cultural setting, and others. CSR staff assisted in survey design, deployed the online survey for engineering students, and used AMOS 16.0 software to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model. We will post a link to the paper here as soon as ASEE makes a public version available. News, People, Affiliated Faculty, Ideas, Working Papers
  Engineering professor Dr. Jennifer Jewett VanAntwerp will present findings from a pilot study of engineering student retention at Calvin at the annual conference of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) on Tuesday, June 24 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The presentation will describe a new measurement model that attempts to document students’ experiences of seven important dimensions of engineering education, including recruitment efforts, the cultural setting, and others. CSR staff assisted in survey design, deployed the online survey for engineering students, and used AMOS 16.0 software to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model. We will post a link to the paper here as soon as ASEE makes a public version available.

]]> 2008-05-27T12:14:00-05:00 Faculty Scholarhip Showcase - Friday, May 16, 2008 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/faculty_scholarhip_showcase_friday_may_16_2008/ Calvin’s Centers & Institutes are hosting the second annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 9am to 2pm in the Library Lobby and Meeter Center. As the title suggests, this event recognizes and appreciates important scholarly accomplishments within each discipline.The CSR will feature several faculty and off-campus projects, including highlights from the Kent County Congregations Study, the CRC 150th Anniversary Survey, and the Pharmaceutical Access Program project with Cherry Street Health Services. Please stop by the Library Lobby and Meeter Center between 9am and 2pm on Friday, May 16 to learn more about these projects, as well as other scholarly work across all disciplines. News, Events, Projects
Calvin’s Centers & Institutes are hosting the second annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 9am to 2pm in the Library Lobby and Meeter Center. As the title suggests, this event recognizes and appreciates important scholarly accomplishments within each discipline.

The CSR will feature several faculty and off-campus projects, including highlights from the Kent County Congregations Study, the CRC 150th Anniversary Survey, and the Pharmaceutical Access Program project with Cherry Street Health Services. Please stop by the Library Lobby and Meeter Center between 9am and 2pm on Friday, May 16 to learn more about these projects, as well as other scholarly work across all disciplines.

]]> 2008-05-15T12:10:00-05:00 PALS Teens at MPA http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/pals_teens_at_mpa/ Last week, the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) hosted its annual meeting at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL. As the current CSR Research Associate, I presented a poster on some of my collaborative work with Calvin psychology professor, Marjorie Gunnoe. Using PALS teen data, professor Gunnoe and I examined predictors of teenage expectations to marry. We explored several theoretical & well-established domains in an effort to compare our data with other national studies and to contribute to the growing body of literature on teenage development and attitudes toward marriage. In addition to several poster sessions, I had the opportunity to hear a fabulous lecture by Washington University’s memory expert, Henry L. Roediger, III on how testing not only measures knowledge but enhances it. Visit the Washington University Memory Lab for more on this groundbreaking research. News, Events, Projects, Past Projects, PALS Teens, People, Staff, Disciplines, Psychology Last week, the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) hosted its annual meeting at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL. As the current CSR Research Associate, I presented a poster on some of my collaborative work with Calvin psychology professor, Marjorie Gunnoe.

Using PALS teen data, professor Gunnoe and I examined predictors of teenage expectations to marry. We explored several theoretical & well-established domains in an effort to compare our data with other national studies and to contribute to the growing body of literature on teenage development and attitudes toward marriage.

In addition to several poster sessions, I had the opportunity to hear a fabulous lecture by Washington University’s memory expert, Henry L. Roediger, III on how testing not only measures knowledge but enhances it. Visit the Washington University Memory Lab for more on this groundbreaking research.

]]> 2008-05-05T17:37:00-05:00 Business development mentoring in Haiti, Kenya and Nicaragua http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/business_development_mentoring_in_haiti_kenya_and_nicaragua/ In summer and fall 2007, CSR assisted Roland Hoksbergen, professor of economics and international development, and student Jeremy Veenema in their evaluation of the Partners Worldwide “Million Mentors Initiative.” In addition to other information sources, Hoksbergen and Veenema conducted a survey of the target population for the initiative, entrepreneurs and employees in small businesses in Haiti, Kenya and Nicaragua. Local field interviewers in each country conducted interviews with business owners and employees in the field, then returned to their home bases (often colleges and universities) and entered their data into web forms created by CSR (you can view preview versions of the forms for owners and employees). Hoksbergen and Veenema also received statistical analysis consulting support from CSR. Their final report is posted here. They found strong evidence for the program’s effectiveness, with a total of 84 business associations, 6,419 individual members and 4,516 businesses across the three countries. People, Affiliated Faculty, Disciplines, Economics, Ideas, Books and Articles
In summer and fall 2007, CSR assisted Roland Hoksbergen, professor of economics and international development, and student Jeremy Veenema in their evaluation of the Partners Worldwide “Million Mentors Initiative.”

In addition to other information sources, Hoksbergen and Veenema conducted a survey of the target population for the initiative, entrepreneurs and employees in small businesses in Haiti, Kenya and Nicaragua. Local field interviewers in each country conducted interviews with business owners and employees in the field, then returned to their home bases (often colleges and universities) and entered their data into web forms created by CSR (you can view preview versions of the forms for owners and employees). Hoksbergen and Veenema also received statistical analysis consulting support from CSR.

Their final report is posted here. They found strong evidence for the program’s effectiveness, with a total of 84 business associations, 6,419 individual members and 4,516 businesses across the three countries.

]]> 2008-05-01T13:47:00-05:00 CSR Open House on April 3 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/csr_open_house_on_april_3/   Please join us on the afternoon of April 3, 2008, 3:30 - 6:00pm for a friendly open house at the stylish new offices of the Center for Social Research at 2041 Raybrook St. SE, Suite 103, downstairs from the Van Lunen Center and Kuyers Institute. We’d like to welcome all Calvin faculty and staff and our clients from the community, share refreshments, introduce you to CSR’s new director Dr. James Penning, and chat about social research at Calvin College. Thanks are due to past Director Kurt Schaefer, Interim Director Janel Curry, all our campus collaborators, and especially to the Physical Plant personnel who did such a great job remodeling. Find your way with this map: Sorry, this neat feature doesn’t work in Internet Explorer, but is too cool to drop for all that. Try Firefox!! View Larger Map News, Events, People, Staff

  Please join us on the afternoon of April 3, 2008, 3:30 - 6:00pm for a friendly open house at the stylish new offices of the Center for Social Research at 2041 Raybrook St. SE, Suite 103, downstairs from the Van Lunen Center and Kuyers Institute.

We’d like to welcome all Calvin faculty and staff and our clients from the community, share refreshments, introduce you to CSR’s new director Dr. James Penning, and chat about social research at Calvin College.

Thanks are due to past Director Kurt Schaefer, Interim Director Janel Curry, all our campus collaborators, and especially to the Physical Plant personnel who did such a great job remodeling.

Find your way with this map:
Sorry, this neat feature doesn’t work in Internet Explorer, but is too cool to drop for all that. Try Firefox!!

View Larger Map

]]> 2008-04-03T14:14:00-05:00 Monsma publishes book on Christian evaluation of public policy http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/healing_for_a_broken_world_book/   Adapted from the Christians in Political Science newsletter for March 2008: Just published, Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy is written by Steve Monsma, a research fellow at the Henry Institute at Calvin College and a former CPS president. In his book, Steve lays out foundational biblical principles for guiding Christians’ evaluation of current public policy issues and then applies them to several key issue areas. His goal is not to prescribe specific public policy positions, but to assist believers to evaluate and reach their own public policy positions in a thoughtful manner, guided by biblical principles. It is published by Crossway Books; more information can be found at www.healingbrokenworldbook.com. The Henry Institute has also produced a DVD and study guide to accompany the book, which is suited for use in introductory college classes and study groups. More information on it can be found at the Henry Institute publications page. News, People, Affiliated Faculty, Disciplines, Political Science, Ideas, Books and Articles

  Adapted from the Christians in Political Science newsletter for March 2008:

Just published, Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy is written by Steve Monsma, a research fellow at the Henry Institute at Calvin College and a former CPS president. In his book, Steve lays out foundational biblical principles for guiding Christians’ evaluation of current public policy issues and then applies them to several key issue areas. His goal is not to prescribe specific public policy positions, but to assist believers to evaluate and reach their own public policy positions in a thoughtful manner, guided by biblical principles. It is published by Crossway Books; more information can be found at

www.healingbrokenworldbook.com.

The Henry Institute has also produced a DVD and study guide to accompany the book, which is suited for use in introductory college classes and study groups. More information on it can be found at the Henry Institute publications page.

]]> 2008-03-04T13:46:00-05:00 Major study documents religious mobility http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/major_study_documents_religious_mobility/ The Grand Rapids Press newspaper invited CSR staff to comment for a story about a major new study of American religion by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. A massive survey of over 35,000 people, the U.S. Religious Landscape study reveals significant levels of religious mobility among Americans, with 28 percent reporting leaving the faith tradition of their childhood and another 16 percent reporting movement between groups within the Protestant tradition. Over sixteen percent reported no religious affiliation at all, but this figure includes 5.8 percent who still think of themselves as “religious” (see the bottom of the table at right on the Pew page.) News, People, Staff, Disciplines, Political Science, Sociology, Ideas, Books and Articles

The Grand Rapids Press newspaper invited CSR staff to comment for a story about a major new study of American religion by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

A massive survey of over 35,000 people, the U.S. Religious Landscape study reveals significant levels of religious mobility among Americans, with 28 percent reporting leaving the faith tradition of their childhood and another 16 percent reporting movement between groups within the Protestant tradition. Over sixteen percent reported no religious affiliation at all, but this figure includes 5.8 percent who still think of themselves as “religious” (see the bottom of the table at right on the Pew page.)

]]> 2008-02-26T16:25:00-05:00 Dr. James Penning to direct CSR http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/csr/dr_james_penning_to_direct_csr/ Dr. James Penning, currently chair of Calvin’s Department of Political Science, has been appointed to become Director of the Center for Social Research effective June 1, 2008. Dr. Penning’s extensive experience includes a panoply of research- and community-related projects and positions. A scholar of public administration, urban, state and local politics, and religion and politics, he is a past president of the Michigan Conference of Political Scientists and program chair for the Religion and Politics section of the American Political Science Association. In the community, he has been a member of the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, the Kentwood City Commission, and the Baxter Community Center Board. He has conducted numerous large-scale studies and surveys. His most recent publication is Divided by a Common Heritage:  The Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America at the Beginning of the New Millennium, co-authored with colleagues Corwin Smidt of Calvin and Donald Luidens and Roger Nemeth of Hope College. The Center’s staff and student team are excited about Dr. Penning’s unique combination of community ties and research expertise. News, People, Staff, Disciplines, Political Science
Dr. James Penning, currently chair of Calvin’s Department of Political Science, has been appointed to become Director of the Center for Social Research effective June 1, 2008.

Dr. Penning’s extensive experience includes a panoply of research- and community-related projects and positions. A scholar of public administration, urban, state and local politics, and religion and politics, he is a past president of the Michigan Conference of Political Scientists and program chair for the Religion and Politics section of the American Political Science Association. In the community, he has been a member of the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, the Kentwood City Commission, and the Baxter Community Center Board. He has conducted numerous large-scale studies and surveys. His most recent publication is Divided by a Common Heritage:  The Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America at the Beginning of the New Millennium, co-authored with colleagues Corwin Smidt of Calvin and Donald Luidens and Roger Nemeth of Hope College.

The Center’s staff and student team are excited about Dr. Penning’s unique combination of community ties and research expertise.

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