The research of the university involves both basic and applied research. Because of the urban emphasis, however, a substantial amount of research is focused on urban life and phenomena with a bent toward education, service, and public policy. In addition, UDBS makes it easier to develop research and professional relationship with other institutions of higher learning, K-12 schools, and the business community. UDBS afford researchers and practioners in the field of education and urban studies an opportunity to develop action plans and strategies based on current research on urban problems. The goal is to encourage researchers and practioners to work together to develop appropriate programs to address urban problems and issues.
Urban problems are multi-dimensional in nature.
For example, the issue of academic achievement in urban schools is influenced by economic, human resource, teacher quality, parental involvement, and urban stressors that urban children cope with on a daily basis. For this reason, appropriate programs and strategies designed to adress the issue of student achievement must also take the aforementioned factors into consideration. The approach that scholars in the social-psychological literature are advocating. The research article will be evaluated by the UDBS review committee, and if accepted will be published in the SEUS Informer a quarterly research report on urban issues. In addition, independent of their professors or mentors these students can use UDBS to conduct their own research.