Linking community needs with student research experiences.

The authors describe the activities of the Action Research program, designed to link academic projects and requirements for student research activities with the information needs of community service agencies. While interdisciplinary in focus, this program has been especially helpful in allowing community health nursing students to gain practical experience with real-life research questions and processes. An added benefit is to instill in the student an attitude of service while expanding their orientation to the community and the everyday needs of its agencies.