c2ER Researcher certification
C2ER - the Council for Community and Economic Research - dedicated to helping to improve the skills of community and economic development researchers. The Center provides an opportunity for researchers to earn professional recognition as a "Certified Community Researcher" (CCR).
What is C2ER Researcher Certification?
Certification will denote that you have successfully mastered a level of economic and demographic research analysis, and you have demonstrated your ability to utilize this knowledge for practical community research applications. Certification will set you apart and above other community researchers.
Why Be Certified?
Certification will mean that you have the knowledge and skill level to perform community research tasks more effectively and efficiently than your contemporaries. You will be more productive. Certification will mean high value added to your employer and should translate into higher salaries.
How to Become Certified
Certification is a two-step process. First, an applicant must submit a portfolio of work demonstrating that he/she has acquired the necessary skills for conducting applied community research. The second step is to select one project that will serve as the applicant's thesis. This project may be completed as part of the applicant's job or as a result of their training/education. The subject and methodology of the thesis project must be approved by a peer review panel.A peer review panel will also evaluate the finished thesis and a required oral presentation. Please click here to download the application form.
Portfolio Submission
ACCR applicant must submit a portfolio of projects demonstrating a broad range of research skills. Each portfolio item is assigned points according to the portfolio point schedule. Each applicant's portfolio must total 35 points and must be distributed between five categories:
- Education and employment background,
- Professional development,
- Data collection and management,
- Economic/demographic analysis and
- Economic development research.
The applicant must earn a minimum number of points in each category. There is also a maximum number of points from each category that will count towards the 35 points required for a successful portfolio.
Each portfolio must include at least five of the eight core items.To exemplify the applicant's command of basic research skills, additional information is required for each core item submitted. A questionnaire must be completed for each project discussing the applicant's use of technology, statistical/research methodology, survey research techniques and presentation skills.
The portfolio will be initially reviewed by C2ER staff with the advice and consent of the chair of the Certification Committee. If the point schedule has been met, the portfolio will then be reviewed by a peer review panel for completeness, applicability and accuracy.The applicant will be notified if the portfolio has been accepted and may then proceed to the thesis project.
Thesis Project
Applicants who have successfully completed the portfolio step of the certification process, will select a project for a thesis. While the thesis subject matter is of the applicant's own design, the project type/methodology must be selected from the eight "core" portfolio items. A written summary of the proposed thesis project must be submitted to the peer review panel for approval. The summary must include the following items:
- General description of the project
- Research methodology to be employed
- Discussion of project need and anticipated use
If the peer review panel chooses to accept the applicant's thesis proposal, he/she must complete the project within two years from the proposal's acceptance. A sample outline, acceptable length and other relevant information will be given to the applicant before he/she begins work. A written summary of the thesis project must be submitted along with all supporting documents.The summary should be 5-20 pages in length, double-spaced.
Upon completion, the peer review panel will review the thesis project for thoroughness, appropriate use of methodology and applicability.
The final step in certification process is the oral presentation of the thesis project at C2ER's annual conference or other approved venue.
CCR Peer Review Panel
The CCR Peer Review Panel is charged with reviewing and evaluating applicant's portfolios and thesises, providing feedback and determining qualification for the CCR designation.
C2ER will maintain a list of potential panel members. Eligible panelists must be either current CCR's or members of academia that are involved in C2ER.
For each C2ER member expressing an interest in becoming a CCR, a peer review panel will be assembled from the list of potential members. Each applicant's peer review panel will consist of a chair and three panelists. For each four-member panel there will be two CCR's and two member of the academic community. Panel members will be matched to the applicant's organization type whenever possible.It is the responsibility of the chair to direct communication with the other panelists, initiate discussions with the applicant and provide preliminary review of the portfolio and thesis submissions. Once assembled, an applicant's peer review panel will remain throughout the CCR qualification process. If a member of the panel needs to step down, a new member will be recruited.
It is the responsibility to the peer review panel to review submitted portfolios. Portfolios must be complete, relevant to the community research field and professional in nature. C2ER staff will determine if the point schedule has been met before forwarding portfolio items to the other panel members.
The peer review panel is also required to review the applicant's proposal for a thesis project to determine it's relevancy to the field of community research, practical utility and use of appropriate methodology. The panel must also determine if the project is rigorous enough to qualify as a CCR thesis project. The chair of the panel will discuss the project requirements with the applicant and provide feedback and guidance, as requested, as the project is undertaken.
Finally, an applicant's peer review panel will evaluate the finished thesis project.The panel will determine if the project methodology was carried out appropriately and accurately, the findings were relevant and meaningful and the written report sufficiently describes the method and results. The chair of the panel will work with the applicant to assure that he/she is prepared for the presentation of the results at an C2ER conference or other venue.If the applicant elects to present at an alternate venue, the panel will determine if the venue is appropriate.If no one from the panel is available to attend the presentation, the applicant will be responsible for taping the presentation for the chair to review.
Applicants who do not meet the established criteria for a successful portfolio, thesis project proposal or final thesis project will not notified in writing by the chair of the applicant's peer review panel. Each panelist will write a brief description of any deficiencies along with suggestions for improvement.
