1. What is The UW Science Shop?
2. Why is it called The UW Science Shop?
3. Who can use The UW Science Shop?
4. Do I need to know a lot about research to use The UW Science Shop?
5. What areas of knowlege do UW Science Shop students investigate?
6. Who should I contact to discuss my need for information or research knowledge?
8. Do I have to pay for this service?
9. What happens if I know a student who wants to gather information for our organisation?
11. When is the best time to contact the UW Science Shop?
12. When will my project be completed?
13. How do I get information on The UW Science Shop?
1. What is The UW Science Shop?
The UW Science Shop was created in 2008 through a partnership between the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Together we help organisations in Waterloo Region get easy access to existing information and research reports that inform effective and sustainable community programs. Need evidence to support the work of your organisation? We find it for you.
2. Why is it called The UW Science Shop?
The name Science Shop comes from the original Dutch ‘wetenschapswinkel' where science is translated as knowledge. Science Shops were established in Europe in the 1970s (www.scienceshops.org). Today Science Shops operate in universities all over the world to serve the research needs of small, local, not-for-profit organisations. Funding for European Science Shops is included in the charter of the European Union.
3. Who can use The UW Science Shop?
Any small not-for-profit community service organisation needing information or research evidence can use the UW Science Shop service.
Contract work from regional, provincial, or mid-to-large organisations is considered on an individual basis to subsidize UWSS's work for small organisations that cannot bear research costs. Requests from small organisations and those in Waterloo Region receive priority.
4. Do I need to know a lot about research to use The UW Science Shop?
No. UW Science Shop students and their faculty will bring their research training and skills to your organisation's knowledge needs. Note that the UW Science Shop does not collect data for you. The UW Science Shop gathers, organises, and interprets information and existing research reports to answer your questions such as: Are other organisations doing similar work? where? in what ways? what's the evidence to support their claims of success?
5. What areas of knowlege do UW Science Shop students investigate?
UW Science Shop students come from a wide range of areas of study including health and social science, local planning, environmental science, and more.
6. Who should I contact to discuss my need for information or research knowledge?
Contact Bill Callery, Co-Chair of the UW Science Shop at contact@scienceshop.ca.
7. What happens after I contact The UW Science Shop with my request for information or research reports?
We will arrange a meeting to discuss your interests more fully with you. The steering committee then decides if the request is suitable and student help is available. If so, student researchers and the Science Shop coordinator draft an agreement that specifies the scope, methods, end product, and timeline of the work that you request. Completed projects are delivered to you and archived on the UW Science Shop website.
8. Do I have to pay for this service?
No. Work is conducted as part of theses, courses, internships, co-operative learning, and by volunteers. Student researchers use their training, expertise, interests, and library resources to do the work they love to do. UW Science Shop projects are provided to community organisations in plain language, easy-to-access formats tailored to their specific needs. The work is done free of charge. Operating costs are kept at a minimum but donations are gratefully accepted.
9. What happens if I know a student who wants to gather information for our organisation?
You can request that the student carries out the work through The UW Science Shop. We can help you to manage the process and ensure that you get the knowledge product you need.
10. I know I need information to develop a service program development or justify a funding proposal, but I am not sure what information I need. What do I do?
Contact us. Developing the right question is a normal part of the research process. Our service starts with conversations that explore what you really want to know and what we think we can find for you. That's how we learn about your important service to our community. We learn together.
11. When is the best time to contact the UW Science Shop?
Anytime. Late March, August, and December are particularly good times as faculty and students prepare for interships, courses, and other projects that will be carried out in the next academic term. Your request for information and research reports might be incorporated in their plans. But you can request services anytime you need them.
12. When will my project be completed?
As soon as possible. Once a request has been received and clarified, we look for students to work with you. We try to match students to projects that fit their research interests.
13. How do I get more information on The UW Science Shop?
To learn more contact us.