Smart Form - Assignment Example

SCIENTIFIC MERIT ACTION RESEARCH TEMPLATE (SMART) FORM Section To be completed by Learner 1 Learner Shawna K.Lawson 2 Learner Program Public Administration1.3 Learner EmailLawsonshawna64@yahoo.com1.4 Learner Phone646 226-06411.5 Mentor Name/Email1.6 Committee Member #1 Name/EmailDakota WessonDWesson@yahoo.com1.7 Committee Member #2 Name/EmailLeonardo MaldonadoL.Maldo@yahoo.com1.8 Dissertation TitleConvicted Felons Returning back to the community1.9 Site SelectedSojourner’s Place1.10 Contact Info for Site Approver &Expected Approval DateCharman Branch 302 897 539202-11-14Section #2To be completed by Learner2.

1 ProjectWrite approximately one paragraph that describes the action research project and the basis for it being addressed. The change project was developed based upon the information obtained from the needs assessment in Chapter III. Surveys were distributed to small sample of women offenders in the Baylor’s Correctional Institution, Located in New Castle, Delaware. The findings revealed a need for an intervention that would address the number of probation violations among women, which created overcrowded living conditions in the facility.

The probation violations were the result of the connection that drugs played in the crimes to which the women were incarcerated for. 2.2 Contribution to SocietyUsing citations, answer the following questions in order:1. How does your project improve a current practice?2. If your action research project is successful, how could your project impact your field of interest?3. What are the practical implications of your project? For example, what will be the impact of this project on your sample, your site location, or your workplace?

The current approach of using a combined qualitative and quantitative research methodology is not capturing the most elusive aspects of offender’s motivations, their own attitudes. Previous studies indicate that female offenders choose to relapse for associative and belongingness needs while men continually seek to assert dominance and defiance through drug abuse (Pelissier, Jones, 2005). The methodology needs to include an attitudinal scaling component that captures how the women offenders perceive the trigger events and conditions that lead to relapse.

It would impact my field of interest by lowering recidivism rates and making communities safer and will introduce new conducive members to society.The impact of this project on my sample will produce self-sufficiency, increase self-esteem, and build over all self-worth.2.3 Need and Evidence to Make ChangeProvide current information on your needs assessment or analysis for change. Include the cost-benefit analysis if indicated by design.Reducing the number of probation violations of women offenders after their release from prison in the state of Delaware2.

4 Theoretical FoundationDescribe the theory or theories that serve as the backbone of your project. Provide references for each theory.The Maslow theory is the backbone of my project which states one has to meet his/her basic needs before any other need can be met.Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs2.5 Researcher Positionality:InsiderInsider w/collaborationReciprocal collaborationOutsider, collaboration w/ insidersDefine your role, position, and how positionality will impact your research study.Insider, w/ collaboration.

My position will be the facilitator of the groups my position will not have any affect upon my study2.6 Research Questions and Project Goals/ObjectivesList the research questions or project goals. These should align with the need for organizational structure or activities/outcomes of the project.The evaluation questions were developed to guide the research process. The questions focused on different topics discussed during the change project, and related to the project’s objectives. 1. Did 50% of participants who attended workshop sessions, increase their knowledge of what constitutes unlawful behaviors?2. Did 50% of participants who attended all workshop sessions, increase their knowledge in identifying the triggers associated with drug usage?3. Did 50% of participants who attended all workshop sessions, increase their knowledge by identifying coping skills needed to remain drug free?

Section #3To be completed by Learner3.1 Action PlanProvide detailed steps to implementing your research plan. This should read like a recipe for conducting your project. Be sure to include all the necessary details so that someone else would be able to follow this and replicate the project exactly. 1. Identification of the topic2. Gathering of information 3. Review of the related literature 4. Development of a research plan5. Implementation of the plan and collection of data 6. Analysis of the data7.

Development of an action plan 8. Communicating and sharing the results9. Reflecting on the research process 3.2 ResultsDescribe your program evaluation and dissemination of results plan.Results will be analyzed using different programsIt will then be evaluated and interpreted The interpreted results will be shared to the community hence dissemination 3.3. Measures and InstrumentsList and describe each data collection instrument or measurement tool you will use. This includes questionnaires, formal interview protocols, forms, etc.

Include: a. Data type(s) generated by each measureb. Available psychometric information (including validity and reliability coefficients)c. How this data will be used Attach a copy of each instrument you plan to use as an appendix to your SMART form.Interviews and questionnaires are the two instruments that will be used in data collection. Interviews will use orals questions and pencil and paper medium or questionnaires. The data collection instruments will generate both qualitative and quantitative dataThe data will be used to determine on ways of reducing the number of probation violations of women offenders after their release from prison in the state of Delaware3.

4 If Modifying an Instrument:Describe any pilot test or field test that may be required for any instruments. Type NA if not applicable. Field tests must be done:a. For new instruments or questions developed by the learner.b. With expert panelists. Field tests require no IRB review. A pilot test requires IRB review.3.5 AssumptionsIdentify the key assumptions of the project; use citations to support their adoption.The data is bias free There will be few or no statistical errors 3.6 LimitationsEvaluate the weaknesses of your project at this time.

Indicate areas to be improved before starting your project and areas that cannot be improved. Give reasons for not redesigning to address any of the limitations identified.The ideal evaluation methodology consists of the use of experimental designs, quasi-experimental, and qualitative evaluations. Because of time constraints in the completion of the change project, this was not feasible. Data was extracted from one organization, and therefore it may be hard to generalize the success of the change project.

Also, there was not an adequate sample of participants in the relapse prevention workshops. Other agencies with varying client populations, and mandatory versus voluntary participation could have been included. According to Babbie (2007), the problem of internal validity refers to the possibility that the conclusions drawn from experimental results may not accurately reflect what has gone on in the experiment itself. Sojourners’ Place currently houses 10 women residents, with the remaining beds going to men.

There are approximately 50 beds in total at the facility.3.7 Population and SamplingDescribe the key stakeholders or population of your project. Briefly describe the characteristics of this sample, including:a. Demographicsb. Inclusion criteria, if anyc. Exclusion criteria, if anyDescribe how you plan to select the sample. Include the steps you will take to include participants. Sojourners’ PlaceWomen residentsMale residents Sample will be taken randomly to avoid bias 3.8 Sample SizeWhat is the expected sample size?

Provide citations to support the sample size decision.Sample size is nine women.There are only ten beds for women in this facility.3.9 Expected SiteDescribe the organization or site(s) from which you expect to draw your sample. Sojourners’ Place3.10 Site PermissionWho is authorized to provide permission to use this organization or site? Does the site have an IRB? What do you need to do to obtain permission to access the stakeholders, population, or data source?2901 Northeast Blvd.Wilmington, De.

19802 is authorized to use the site The site has an IRBOne will require an authorized permission to visit the organization in order to access the required stakeholder and population data 3.11 Participant ContactHow will potential participants first be contacted? How will participants be contacted following the study?Through letter of invitations and word of mouth 3.12 Data AnalysisDescribe analysis procedures for each data type including: audiotapes, transcripts, videotape, field notes, photos, descriptive analysis, other quantitative analysis, etc.

Describe all methods and procedures for data analysis including:a. Types of data to be analyzedb. Organization of raw datac. Management and processing of datad. Preparation of data for analysise. Storage and protection of dataData analysis occurs after the completion of data collection. It will be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data will include the use of inferential statistics or descriptive statistics while the qualitative data will be analyzed using an inductive process.

Qualitative and quantitative data, experimental designs, quasi-experimental, and qualitative evaluationsData will be organized based on geographical and in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria Computer based data management system will be usedDatabase will be used to organize the data in an effective way. It will also include check for accuracy and random spot checks in search for any discrepancy. Computers, backups and other integrated storage devices 3.13 Ethical ConsiderationsDescribe any ethical considerations given the sample population and/or topic.

Please explain as fully as possible. Describe any ethical concerns about defined researcher positionality. Address any potential for coercion.Confidentiality- Any information obtained from the research should be kept confidential and should only be released to the relevant authorities. 3.14 Risk AssessmentIs your study more than minimal risk? Refer to your CITI course for more information about minimal risk. Please explain.The study is more than minimal risk as the magnitude and probability of discomfort or harm anticipate are not greater in themselves.