The Research Problem in Parks

By Dr. William E. O'Brien

Our profession is faced with a staggering problem in the area of research. The problem includes the fact that we are a rather young profession when we consider medicine, law, and the older professions. Hence, we have rather little background in terms of published research, as compared to older professions. It is also true that our executives and their personnel are out on the "firing line" and work long hours in a rather long work week. They do not have too much time to allocate for all the research necessary if they must initiate the research action and complete the project. Most of our public departments are greatly under-staffed and overworked. It is frequently a challenge for our people in the field to find enough time to respond to data gathering instruments which researchers send them and yet, this cooperation is necessary if we are to meet this problem head-on. The areas in which we must do research are in themselves rather difficult to measure and analyze. For example, how do we really determine the "needs" of people for whom we develop programs? Then, too, how do we evaluate the effectiveness of program participation in influencing or changing attitudes? What are "good" facilities or how much or many should we have? Our professional areas are difficult when we consider these and other research possibilities.

The fact remains that we do need research and must encourage it because of the contributions to fundamental knowledge which will provide deeper insight into our problems and/or status. These efforts will pay off eventually because if we are to be a profession we will be asked to submit proof of our being—and research will provide such proof. Sometimes the "pay off" is almost immediate; recently four boards asked me to present findings of a personnel study I conducted last year. The results of the presentation influenced salary adjustments for personnel when it appeared that their salary ranges were below that expected of departments serving the particular population range of the departments involved. Many of you who read this article were involved in the study from which that "proof" came. One respondent in the study stated that he thought researchers should conduct such projects when it was more feasible in terms of the respondent's time-schedule. This, of course, is true and meaningful; however, with our public servants involved in year-round programs, this becomes a problem in itself. Patience and cooperation are rather important to this over-all problem. Some of the needed research will be carried out by students in the colleges and universities. More and more questionnaires will find their way to the desks of the executives— they will range in quality and length but if we are to make headway, we must complete them. Both the researcher and the field will benefit and yet it is clear that this adds more work for an already over-burdened professional leadership staff.

Recently this writer visited with our Executive Vice-President, Art Schultz, and discussed our problem. This article is an outgrowth of that visit. The purpose is, of course, to acknowledge the problem and ask those of you who are really out in the field, to lend a hand when and where you can. Hopefully, in the future, some additional efforts will be made in many areas of needed

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research. Much has been done; much remains to be done. The Illinois Park and Recreation Society Research Committee has tried to promote research activity. Dr. Al Sapora and Dr. Tony Mobley of the Committee, have made many contributions and welcome ideas, suggestions, and help in our common problem. If all of us cooperate, we can and will reduce this research problem in great degree and we will be a stronger profession for it. Some of us who are in the teaching areas can contribute through graduate programs and we will do so. We certainly will need help from you who are out on the firing line both in the area of ideas and/or cooperation when data are required from your departments. Then, too, you do research and we would like to hear about what you have done, are doing, and will do.

Many thanks to you who have helped me in my efforts in several personnel studies I worked with. One thing certain, my studies revealed that you Park and Recreation people work long and hard—that's one proof which I've shared with our tax-paying public and hopefully, to some advantage for some of you. So, keep in mind that you will be asked more and more to share in this rather vital problem of research.

It appears to me that we need to work on a calendar for certain types of studies which would give us a continuing status report: for example, in personnel matters. It seems important to me also that we need to do some program experimentation for the purpose of determining what "happens" to our participants when they take part in programs based on their needs. We might consider joint efforts with sociologists, psychologists, naturalists and other disciplines in hopes of getting the "most" out of what we do. Then, too, we might work with these disciplines for long-range planning based on expected trends and future developments. All I can say to my friends in the field is that I'll certainly try to do my part and anything I learn from research will be shared with you. Many departments have received copies of my Personnel Studies and shortly will receive some information concerning board members.

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