Every member of a research team has to participate in understanding the connection between the the research problems as presented by the community organization and some body of conceptual knowledge that will put the problem into a larger context of analysis. Unless these differences in understanding of knowledge are dealt with, suspicions threaten to sabotage the very bridges intended to connect community and academy. Individual accountability for teaching and learning occurs within the formal education process. In the CoRPS, the individual becomes accountable to self and team through the team building process. Accountability is nurtured in the individual through a commitment to a shared set of collaborative learning principles and to each other.
Accountability is introduced early.
Every student wanting to be a CoRPS associate must fill out an application. In the application, students must reflect on why they want to join the CoRPS, and why they want to get involved in research that demands intense work in the community. Research associates, faculty members, and community representatives then interview the applicants. They gain inquire about the applicant's commitment to and interest in teaching-learning in a community context. To be accepted as associates, students must show commitment to the CoRPS' mission and community service.