Research

Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Center (SBSRC)

The Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Center (SBSRC) was established in 2014 with the purpose of promoting, enhancing, and facilitating research in the social and behavioral sciences at the University of North Alabama (UNA) and the surrounding community. The mission of the SBSRC is (1) to build and maintain a student-centered university, (2) to foster a strong university community, (3) to build higher quality programs, and (4) to enhance and support regional development and outreach.
 
The SBSRC aims to provide assistance in meeting the needs of the community by providing technical assistance to agencies and professionals working in the areas of the social and behavioral sciences throughout the Alabama/Tennessee Valley area. This technical assistance is in the form of consultation, research, and program evaluation.
 
Consultation and Research
  • The SBSRC conducts research to provide empirical literature on best practices for providing client services.
  • The SBSRC conducts research to assist agencies in deciding on new courses of actions or service implementation.
  • The SBSRC assists agencies in creating instruments for data collection.
  • Based on the needs of its clients, the SBSRC conducts various types of data collection involving surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
  • The SBSRC assists in the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
Program Evaluation
  • State and federal funding agencies require an evaluator [research partner/principle investigator] for funded projects. To assist with the grant process the SBSRC conducts needs assessments, as well as policy, process and impact evaluations for agencies reporting to these funding agencies.

Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management organizations interested in partnering for research should contact the Chair of the Department of Politics, Justice, Law, and Philosophy to explore partnership opportunities.