NRPA's commitment to research: the association needs to focus on creating a body of knowledge to be a leader in the field.

NRPA has long recognized research, institutional knowledge and best practices as a major responsibility of the association. These are critical factors to achieving our mission and providing quality service to the member. "To promote the development and dissemination of the body of knowledge" is one of four major goals affirmed in the association's Strategic Plan.

Demand is growing for NRPA to collect and distribute accurate data on the scope, nature, usage and economic impact of public park and recreation agencies nationwide. The need is particularly acute in the legislative arena, where the availability of timely and reliable data can substantively influence national, state and local decision-making.

Action Is Needed Now

Past President James Donahue, CPRP, states, "We are faced with many challenges in our profession. We must have the research and data to prove many of the statements that we have been making. Other professions use research to build their case for their existence and impact. We have the academicians, practitioners and a huge audience for research. Our members' input and participation in research identification, analysis and implementation is most important if we are to prove our value."

Karla Henderson, Ph.D., professor at North Carolina State University and NRPA Research Task Force chair, maintains that "one of the hallmarks of a profession is a specialized body of knowledge and set of practical skills. If parks and recreation is to call itself a profession, then we must have an identifiable body of knowledge."

Knowledge and information is power. If NRPA members in local communities are to be advocates for parks and recreation, they must be able to access knowledge and information. Some of that information is drawn from common sense, folklore and human experience. Not all of us have the same experiences though, so we must look to scientific sources. The value of science lies in the method that attempts to use appropriate sampling and research designs, to determine probabilities and explanations while reducing biases.

In the park and recreation field, a good deal of rigorous and trustworthy research has already been undertaken. Researchers from many related fields (e.g., public health, public administration, geography, business, forestry, etc.) have conducted scientific inquiries that has direct implications for parks and recreation.

Although this information is available, two challenges remain: 1) the value of the research lies not necessarily in single studies, but in the integration and interpretation of these bits of information into a knowledge base, and 2) information is doubling every two to three years so it needs to be continually updated.

NRPA has an integral role to play. If NRPA is to be the voice of the public park and recreation movement then we must become the center of knowledge for this field. The organization itself does not need to do the research, but NRPA does have an important role in promoting it, and providing an interpretation function between researchers and practitioners (the "Research Update" column in Parks & Recreation magazine on page 30 is a good example). Many opportunities could exist, with support and funding, for NRPA to serve as a conduit for information and knowledge about this field that is made available to citizens and professional members.

What is NRPA doing and how can you contribute?

A current Research Task Force is charged "To assess the research information needs of NRPA members, to ascertain where the gaps exist in available information and dissemination, and to make a recommendation to NRPA regarding research needs, priorities and strategies."

Additional association objectives include: developing specifications for a public parks and recreation facilities data base, evaluating the feasibility of converting and expanding the NRPA library into a centralized research and data collection center, developing collaborations and partnerships with similar national organizations conducting research, and collecting data regarding the value and benefits of leisure experiences to individuals and communities.

Research, developed into a body of knowledge and disseminated as best practices, is important to all NRPA members to promote the benefits of our services to the public. This information provides leverage to park, recreation and conservation advocates at all levels.