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Tech to begin research project this semester By Brooke Vermillion government@couriernews.com Members of the River Valley Methamphetamine Project heard updates during their monthly meeting Wednesday concerning funding issues and new developments, along with an introduction to a new research project two Arkansas Tech University classes will begin this semester. “The students are really excited to be a part of this project,” Assistant Professor of Sociology Sean Huss said at the meeting. “They are all chomping at the bit, and we’ve only been in class about a week.” Huss, along with Assistant Professor of Sociology Terri Earnest, PhD, are conducting survey research for RVMP and are integrating two of their Tech classes while introducing the students to research, survey development, data collection, assessment and report writing. The two junior-level classes, Introduction to Social Research, and Prisons and Corrections, form a group of about 90 students who are mostly majoring in sociology or psychology. Although the research project is expected to aid the RVMP in its goal to treat the “meth epidemic,” the professors noted the experience will be beneficial to the students participating in the project. “One of the things that really market you as an undergraduate, for either a job or for graduate school, is the amount of practical research experience you have,” Huss said following the students’ orientation of the meth research project this past week. “It’s a really good example of how students can become involved in something that really applies to their lives,” he continued. “They’ve learned the methods for doing certain types of surveys and research, then in addition, they’re helping their community at the same time.” Earnest said following the orientation, she was not aware of the Tech sociology department offering any experience-based project such as the meth research project before this semester. “You can talk about a survey until you’re blue in the face,” Huss said, “but survey research is really tough and really requires a lot of practical experience.” The professors said everything asked of the students this semester as part of the research project can be completed within the expected time frame of a semester. But it was noted the project will be ongoing. By June, professors are expecting to present the RVMP with reports explaining how the community feels about the meth problem in Pope County and defining the scope of the problem. But Huss stated during the RVMP meeting Wednesday funding was still an issue in determining how much of the survey would be completed this semester. He said although survey research is one of the most inexpensive forms of research, it still can be expensive because of issues such as copying and postage. “The real issue is getting the money to conduct the research,” Huss told RVMP members. Money shortage proves disheartening But there are also other members of the RVMP who are awaiting state or federal dollars to help deal with the methamphetamine issue. Pope County Sheriff Jay Winters said in the meeting funding for the 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force has been cut 35 percent for this year, and is expected to be cut an additional 47 percent next year. Without this funding, local law enforcement must find ways to still exist with a smaller budget, find funding elsewhere, or cut essential programs. |