wk 11

  
Discussion: Alignment and Social Change
In the context of research, alignment and social change will be important topics to return to as you prepare for the next courses in the research sequence and continue your development as a scholar-practitioner.
Consider, for example, what criteria are used in your discipline to evaluate alignment of research components. And in what way will your future research contribute to your identity as scholar-practitioner who is dedicated to positive social change?
For this Discussion, you will consider criteria for evaluating alignment among the various components of a research study. You will also reflect on your role as a positive social change agent through research.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 4
Post an explanation of the criteria you could use to evaluate alignment between data collection methods and other research components, such as the problem, purpose, research questions, and design. Then, reflecting on the course content, discuss the extent to which your newly acquired research knowledge and skills can support your role as an agent of positive social change. Be specific and provide an example(s).
Be sure to support your Main Issue Post and Response Post with reference to the week’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.
Resources for this week, please try to incorporate in answer; 
Vogt, W. P., Gardner, D. C., & Haeffele, L. M. (2012). When to use what research design. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
For more than 45 years, Walden University has provided a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can apply what they’ve learned to effect positive social change. Walden is focused on inspiring and celebrating the remarkable achievements of our community members who continue to make a difference by addressing challenges where they live, in their professions, and in the world around them.
Walden’s five-year social change plan is one that will shape our thinking about the future and our vision for social change within the university. Read more about the university’s efforts to become a leader in connecting our virtual presence with both local and global actions to make a difference in the Walden 2020: A Vision for Social Change 2017 Report.
For Walden, social change is not just something we talk about—social change is who we are. Walden students, alumni, faculty, and staff are creating and contributing to real change and having an impact on a global scale.
As a Certified B Corporation®, Walden is proud to join a growing, global movement of other Certified B Corps that look beyond profits to benefit the communities we serve and, most importantly, future generations. Our B Corp™ certification directly aligns with our mission to drive positive social change through our graduates of our degree programs. Our students and alumni embrace this responsibility, using their education to make the world a better place.
Learn more about the social change initiatives guiding our institution. 
Scholarly Change
A Curriculum Designed to Foster the Application of Knowledge to Positive Social Change
A core commitment that Walden makes as we develop and improve our curriculum is ensuring that our students can apply new skills, expand their networks, gain deeper knowledge, and consider a variety of perspectives in order to better address practical problems at an individual level as well as within their organizations, communities, and society at large. 
Working collaboratively, college leadership, faculty members, and curricula developers continually evaluate Walden’s programs to assess the effectiveness of our curriculum in helping our students effect positive social change. In our annual Review of Social Change at Walden University (summary), we document some of the more important changes to our curriculum that support social change initiatives. 
Other Resources That Help Inform Perspectives on Social Change
Through ScholarWorks, Walden makes the scholarly and creative output of the Walden University community publicly available, in order to generate, conserve, and transform knowledge by making connections among and between ideas to improve human and social conditions. Browse our collection of social change publications that exemplify Walden’s mission by exploring issues that impact communities. 
The Journal of Social Change, sponsored by Walden University, welcomes manuscripts from the Walden community and the public that focus on interdisciplinary research in social change that seeks to improve the human condition and moves people, groups, organizations, cultures, and society toward a more positive future.
Walden commissioned the Social Change Impact Report to discover the current state of social change around the world, assess the impact of social change, and learn more about the individuals who are creating and applying ideas. The report also identifies individual beliefs about social change, the issues that those surveyed care about, the motivations behind their engagement, the actions they are taking to further social change, and the tools they use. Discover what kind of social change agent you are by taking Walden’s quiz based on this research.
Applied Change
Walden’s annual Global Days of Service is an opportunity for the Walden community to make an impact in neighborhoods around the world and advance the university’s mission of positive social change. Members of the Walden community generously donate their time and expertise to serve their neighbors in need, as they experience firsthand the impact they can make in the lives of others. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff contribute to community projects serving schools, food banks, community centers, and much more.
The annual Scholars of Change video contest allows our students and graduates to share their stories demonstrating how a Walden degree is helping them make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of those in their communities. The winners’ inspirational videos underscore our social change mission and show how the Walden community is helping to advance the greater good.
Designed to expand learning beyond the classroom, Walden’s study abroad and international public service programs allow students to gain a better understanding of their own culture while being immersed in another, resulting in a greater tolerance for difference, better understanding of the role stereotyping plays, and a deepened appreciation for one’s own academic and career goals. Students generally volunteer 20–30 hours on public service trips.
Inspiring Change
Throughout students’ journeys at Walden, they are provided various opportunities to hear directly from distinguished scholars, journalists, social scientists, and change-makers who share with students their diverse global views. See the list of speakers from 2007 to present.
Walden’s alumni magazine and Spotlight on Walden, the university’s blog, both feature stories and insights from our community of change agents. Get to know the Walden community and see how we are making a difference. Share your story at [email protected].
It is a core belief at Walden that educational institutions like ours have an important role to play in supporting positive social change. To help students reach their fullest potential, so they can be prepared to make a difference in the world around them, Walden regularly commits millions of dollars in social change scholarships and grants. 
Social Entrepreneurship Programs at Walden
Become the entrepreneurial professional you’ve always wanted to be. As part of our core mission of social change, Walden now offers masters-level program specializations and certificates to help you advance your passion for making an impact in your profession and community.