The Action Research Project involves a collaborative and participatory inquiry undertaken by master's candidates to understand concerns that are close to them so that they can address a particular problem and influence change. The basic premise of action research in our department is that students will be more effective in their work when they build a capacity to reflect upon and examine their own practice.

To complete an action research report, students:

  • Identify a problem preferably in his/her own organization, department or place of work;
  • Decide upon a research question;
  • Review relevant research and theories to inform the work;
  • Design and conduct research; and
  • Write up a paper based on his/her findings and the process as a whole; and present the work at the annual presentation event (held in May)

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Action Research Projects from 2019

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Financial Matters and Student Success Rates: Undergraduate Transfer Students at the University of San Diego, Timothy Duran

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Coming Together: Graduate Students and Community Engagement, Irma Gonzalez

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A Student’s Journey to Career Readiness: Maximizing On-Campus Employment, Daniela Saldana Gurgol

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Peer-to-Peer Interactions Between First-Generation Students at the University of San Diego, Christopher Kitchings

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A Collaborative Approach Toward Onboarding for Graduate and Law Students, Yuri Kwak

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The Impact of Hypermasculinity on Students' Development in Fraternity Organizations, Cristian McGough

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Culture in Mind: Fostering a Sense of Belonging for Students of Color in Wellness-Affiliated Spaces, Mandy Mekhail

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Changemakers Bend the Beam Inward: Contemplative Practices in Social Innovation Education, Catherine Northcutt

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Recognizing Unconscious Gender Biases: Promoting Gender Equality in Performance Evaluation in Residential Life at USD, Mariana Ortega

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Full of Pride: Improving Latino Engagement and Retention in USD's LGBT+ Community, Miguel Rios

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Analyzing the Impact of Student Involvement and Leadership Development on Academic Achievement, Kalie Sabajo

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Improving the Practice of Advocacy Among Student Leaders at the University of San Diego, Martel Serwenda

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Empower to Strengthen Culturally Based Fraternal Organizations, Koua Thao

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Gender Equity in Outdoor Adventures: How Gender Constructs Shape Engagement at the University of San Diego, Lauren Wong

Action Research Projects from 2018

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Creating Meaningful Relationships Between New Members in Fraternity and Sorority Life, Elizabeth Aiello-Coppola

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Increasing Participation and Promoting Value in Study Abroad Programs Among Engineering Students, Margaret Anderson

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First year experience of Latino/a students at Southwestern Community College, Nina Bello

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Understanding Hidden Diversity: The Third Culture Student Experience at USD, Bianca Chau

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Promoting Community through Caring Leadership: An Action Research Project, Hazel Claros

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Understanding Feminism at the University of San Diego, Aubrie Cook

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Developing a Study Abroad Program for Student Veterans, Andrea Dame

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Understanding Group Cohesion and Self-Advocacy in Student Leaders, Jordan DeSousa MA

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Cross-Cultural Connections: Sense of Belonging and Mattering in Underrepresented College Students, Erin Fischer

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Underrepresented Student Involvement with the Office of Sustainability, Jelitsa Fonseca

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Summer for Success, Chantal Hernandez

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Greening the Graduate Experience: An Exploration in Sustainability Education for Higher Education Leadership Students at the University of San Diego, David Horber

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Building Belonging: The Impact of Physical Space on Student Sense of Belonging in Student Leadership, Involvement, and Changemaking at the University of San Diego, Madeline Kreig

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Peer-to-Peer Leadership, Kalena Michalec

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Fostering a Sense of Belonging: The Asian American Student Experience, Linh Phuong Nguyen

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Understanding the Experiences of Students Identified as Uninvolved at the University of San Diego, Rama Sabano

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The Peer Coach Lifecycle: Reframing Student Success, Kaila Shivers

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Gender Norms Influence on Student’s Career Goals and Outcomes, Meagan Trudeau

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Sponsored International Students, Chimchanbo Uk

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Fostering Authenticity and Growth among Resident Assistants, Maria Villanueva

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Best Practices to Assist California State University San Marcos TRIO Upward Bound Alumni Reach Degree Completion, Ebony Wiley

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Reshaping What Emerges: Empowering Student Employees to be Authentic, Amber Williams

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Cultivating Community Relations and Fostering Student Self-Efficacy with an Improved Clinical Placement Process, Amy C. Wright

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Compassion with Action: A Glimpse Into Institutional Influences Cultivating Long-Term Philanthropic and Volunteer Morale Within Undergraduate Student Leaders, Novien Yarber