Working Hypotheses

Our working hypotheses about how community-based organizations contribute to empowerment are listed below. These hypotheses are based on our interactions with CTC staff and participants as well as our background research.

For each hypothesis, we developed related questions about the CTC's characteristics. These questions are labeled as Research Questions. For most of the hypotheses, these Research Questions are divided into questions about physical capacity and social capacity of the organization. Then we developed specific Survey Questions to collect data about these general questions.

• Self-Reliance: Community-based organizations that practice and support actions and methods of self-reliance will foster community empowerment.
  
  
• Learning Opportunities: Community-based organizations that provide a variety of learning opportunities are more effective at developing community competence.
  
  
• Comprehensive Programs: Community-based organizations that provide comprehensive programming will be more effective at developing community competence.
  
  
• Social Capital: Community-based organizations that build social capital are more effective at developing community competence.
  
  
• Vision and Community Ownership: Community-based organizations that are integral parts of the community foster empowerment because the participants are comfortable with and involved in the programs.
  

More info

this page last updated
April 13, 2002