Hearing the Voice of MKs

Research Description:

From October '04 to April '05 I completed my undergraduate thesis here at mkPLANET. My university majors were Global Studies and Psychology and I wanted to incorporate both into my thesis. More specifically, I wanted to use the values and research methods from a discipline called "Community Psychology" to create an internet community for missionary kids, which is how this website originally began.

In my research I focused on two questions: How can a sense of community be created on the internet? And what issues are important to MKs and AMKs?

The results of this study were presented at the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) Biennial conference in June 2005 in Urbana, IL. Currently, my thesis advisor and I are preparing a manuscript for publication in a professional journal based on the results of this study.

For a summary of this research study including the findings please send me an email at: danamarie [at] mkplanet [dot] com, and I will be glad to send you a copy.

Our goals through this research were to:

• Help prevent isolation and alienation of MKs and missionary families.
• Provide mission organizations, international schools, and other agencies that work with MKs and missionary families with a better understanding of how they might improve their programs and services.
• Experience increased appreciation for our lifestyle and why it’s unique.
• Make mkPLANET a place to suit everyone's interests.