How Prevention Science Can Inform Service-Learning Research

Prevention science, like service learning, is a relatively young field. However, in a short period of time, prevention has made significant progress in its scientific maturation, while SL research has lagged behind. Prevention science has made rapid progress because of its recognition of a multistage research cycle, reliance on interdisciplinary work, and success in developing strong university-community partnerships. Given the prevailing climate for accountability in education, SL researchers will need to increase the scientific rigor of their work. SL researchers should become more familiar with how prevention scientists conduct research. By following the lead of our prevention science colleagues and, where possible, teaming with them as interdisciplinary colleagues, SL researchers may move the field forward more rapidly.