Executive Summary
Adult and peer mentorship programs have become one of the most popular ways of helping young people to pursue their goals. However, on most occasions, these programs are rarely evaluated and sponsors fail to get reports on the impact of their efforts. It is for this reason that this research has been scheduled to determine the effectiveness of adult and peer mentorship for adolescent dropouts. This report is guided by a research question, which is also the hypothesis of the research. The research hypothesis is supported by the set of objectives, which designed to form the core of the research.
The research will be using a quantitative research design to obtain solid data in the survey. This research design suits well the operation since it seeks to find out quantitative information that can be tested and worth of generalization. To successfully implement the research design, the non-probability sampling technique will be adopted. This sampling technique is best since it covers a large geographical area and only the targeted group is reached.
To come up with a credible report the research team will adhere to the code of ethics applicable to the research field. These ethical principles not only govern the conduct of the researchers but it also ensures that all the parties involved are contented with the outcome of the research. Finally, the report highlights the expected outcome from the research.
Research Design for Program Evaluation
Introduction
Incidences of female adolescent dropouts have been on the rise in the past several years. Attempts to contain this problem have often proven futile, thought different groups have shown resilience in curbing the situation. In order to determine the extent of female adolescent dropouts peer and adolescent programs have been formulated to show causes and effects on respective variables. This report is generated to determine the effect of these programs and providing a viable solution on how the scourge can be contained.
Peer monitoring is a type of mentorship usually carried out in learning institutions to establish the root course of certain behaviors. The high prevalence of female adolescent students has caused alarmed and major concern both to the government and to the public at large. In most cases, peer monitoring endeavors to provide facts concerning the extent of a certain problem as well as offering a lasting solution to the problem. It is for this reason that this research has been planned in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.
Program design
The program is designed to help obtain both the quantitative and qualitative information about the progress of female adolescent dropouts. This program is design and seeks to prove or reject a predetermined hypothesis. Also, the research strives to govern by a certain set of objectives, which are stipulated below.
Hypothesis
The research has both null and an alternative hypothesis. The positive hypothesis states “do female adolescence drop-outs excel more with adult or peer mentors. While the null hypothesis states “do female adolescence drop-out do not excel more with adult or peer mentors? The overall aim of the research is to determine which of the two (adult and peer) criteria produces the best result.
Research Objectives
The research is carried out with an overall objective of determining the causes and effects of adult/peer monitoring programs. The other objective are;
- To determine the root cause of the high rate of female drop-outs from learning institutions
- To evaluate how the drop-outs can be helped to lead a normal life
- To demonstrate the correct modernity that can be used to influence all the female drop-outs to gather organization set up.
- To offer a proposal on how the adult peer monitoring organizations can better improve their services.
Research methodology
The research design relies heavily on primary information. This information is obtained by conducting a field survey to obtain first-hand information. Several tools will be used to make the process a success, these tools are listed below. The other source of data is secondary sources, which include; interment and scholarly journals. The research design is descriptive as it strives to deal with all behavioral changes and how they affect and shape the conduct and behavior of people. This research design was chosen because it helps in obtaining in-depth information on people’s behavior and the way they react to certain incentives.
Quantitative Research design
This report uses a quantitative research design since it seeks to find concrete data on the effectiveness of the adult peer mentoring. In this case, the independent variable is adolescence drop-out while the dependent variables are poor education incentives, early pregnancy, and lack of financial constraints. This research design is easier in generating the specific population under investigation.
The research design is descriptive in nature whir variables are measured once. As the name suggests descriptive research usually looks at the relationships between variables and the effects of the mentoring. This research is effective especially while dealing with the descriptive issues. Despite dealing with a more qualitative topic, in nature, the approach is quantitative since it will entail obtaining tangible and thus numerical facts.
Tools used
The research design will use several tools to obtain relevant information. Some of the main tools that will be used include the following; questionnaires, quantitative interviews, cameras, interviews and focus groups (Marwat, 2010). All these tools not only collect data but also are useful in exploring new fields of operations. However, not all tools are applicable in all but each condition is best suited by a particular tool.
The research design will help in answering the research question since it will provide both qualitative and quantitative information. Since the sample population will be obtained clearly, it will be easier to get the required outcome as well as to obtain the relevant information. On the other hand, each questionnaire is mailed to respective respondents and the chances of unreturned questionnaires will be minimal.
The observation obtained will then be subjected to several analytical tests to prove the hypothesis whether it is positive or negative. The two main analytical tools used in data collection are SAS and SPSS. Since these analyses are very reliable the outcome is proven and they reflect the exact facts on the ground. In case the hypothesis taste is positive then it implies mentoring yields positive responses.
Marwat (2010) reveals that a valid research test should measure what is intended to. With this research design, all the stated objectives will be fulfilled and the report validity will not be question. However, all the tests need to be done to ensure that the final report is error-free.
Sampling techniques
There are two main sampling techniques in formal research probabilistic and non-probability sampling. This report will use a non-probability sampling method in selecting the sample size from the huge population. This research design will, therefore, be carried out using purposive or judgmental sampling. Purposive sampling method is mainly used in collecting data where the samples are scattered and substantial information about them is readily available (Babbie, 2010).
Purposive sampling usually requires the researcher to have a clear knowledge of the population such as its location, distribution and behavioral trends. Population knowledge should then be integrated with the purpose of the research. In this case, the research has already defined his research question and the population is well known. This survey is conducted over a large geographical region; it is well applicable in this format. Since adolescent dropouts are not confined in a single locality, the sampling techniques become even clearer since it deals with divergent sample. The area that makes purposive sampling even more appropriate is to understand that people who have gone through the mentorship program lead a normal life and they may not be distinguished from their peers.
From the ensuing observation, purposive sampling is more effective since the subjects under observation do not assume any probabilistic operation. Thus, the sampling method will only target the right sample. The sampling technique will also be able to obtain only the relevant data since the method will allow the respondent to express their opinion freely.
This sampling technique is effective since it can answer the research question more vividly since only the target group is involved. Flick (2009) contends that finding the right sample is half the battle, for instance, while researching on drug addicts finding the target group is more difficult than inducing them to talk. Owing to his explanation, purposive sampling helps in the identification of the right target and therefore it becomes easier to carry out the observation. Since the sample size is large enough, the results obtained will be worth of generalization in the situation. On the same note, the sample size covers a wide geographical area and therefore they are more acceptable.
Importance of the program
The program was developed to help young women to lead a better life even after the dropping-out of schools. In addition, the project endeavors to influence these ladies to return to school to be equipped with vital skills that are applicable in the contemporary society. The swift changes in the world require the society to change to become part of the changes in the world. However, should these ladies be neglected they will be subjected to high-level destitution?
In most cases, adults and peer volunteers and people of goodwill do mentoring. Thus, the research will help to assess the contribution of this program both to the person and to the community at large. Furthermore, the research result will be used by the nonprofit organization in decision-making. These organizations being the sponsors may either decide to increase their funding or even reduce depending on the outcome obtained. Furthermore, a positive outcome will influence them as well as attracting other such organizations to join in the campaign to help other adolescent dropouts.
The nonprofit organization will use the result of the operation of determining the course of action. Besides, the research outcome is crucial in determining the course of action it will also be used to consider whether the operation should be expanded or maintained at the same level. A positive research outcome will boost the brand name of the organization as part of community social responsibility (CSR). A successful operation or involvement in the CSR helps to influence the community even to accept is attracted to the society.
Ethical Issues
Just in other fields, ethics forms a focal in any research activity. In research, ethics influence the conduct and the way the researcher interacts with the respondent and finally in the recording of information. Ethics should be maintained both while preparing the proposal and while collecting data. For instance, while preparing the proposal, the research should avoid plagiarism by acknowledging the right author. This should apply to all copyrighted literature and other information (Jefferins, 1999).
During data collection, the researcher should be governed by the following ethics. He or she should always maintain the privacy of the respondent and should never his secrets with anybody else. Respondents’ anonymity should always be adhered to and it is prudent to conceal the name or change the actual name. The other ethical issue that should always be adhered to is the right to confidentiality. All the information obtained from the respondent should never be used for any other purpose and should also not be accessed by any other person whosoever (Rensik, 2010).
On the other hand, the researcher should also carry out his work without fabrication or completing his questionnaires without contacting respondents. Similarly, the other challenge that has also been identified as a cause alarm is poor data storage and retention capacity. Most researchers do not care about filling for the questionnaires after they complete their task. These questionnaires find their way to the public a means that cause bad relationships with the public.
Expected result
At the end of the research, I expect the results to prove or disapprove the hypothesis. However, most likely, the findings will prove that ‘female adolescent drop-outs excel more with adult or peer mentors’. This is because, as it is highly believed, most dropouts who receive constant guidance have higher chances to excel compared to those who had none. However, this should not be said with certainty since the result must be tested to prove the validity of such belief.
Reference List
Babbie, E. R. (2010). The Practice of Social Sampling. Wadworths: Cengage Learning
Flick, U. (2009). Research Methods for Everyday Life: Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Issues. London: Sage.
Jefferins, S.C. (1999). Ethical Issues in Research. Web.
Marwat, A. (2010). Education: Education Awareness and Research. Web.
Rensik, D. B. (2010). What Is Ethics In Research & Why Is It Important. Web.