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Mixed Method Evaluations Quality and Balance: A Case Study From New Zealand Public Sector
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| Presenter(s):
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| Yelena Thomas, Ministry of Research Science and Technology, yelena.thomas@morst.govt.nz
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| Abstract:
Mixed methods and evaluation quality are topics of interest for many. There are a lot of approaches and arguments in favour of one or another method. This presentation describes that the mixed method approach and explains why this is the most successful approach for evaluating government policies in New Zealand. The mixed method approach uncovers the multifaceted interventions of any public policy and show the impacts on different user groups. It also provides cost effective and comprehensive impact evaluations. There are, of course, challenges with this approach. This presentation discusses the challenges the author has encountered when implementing the approach and the risk mitigation strategies employed. The presentation also describes how the New Zealand context compares to other countries and discusses whether or not the same approach would work elsewhere.
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Evaluating Migrant Education Programs: Quality and Inquiry
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| Presenter(s):
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| Karen Vocke, Western Michigan University, karen.vocke@wmich.edu
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| Carl Westine, Western Michigan University, carl.d.westine@wmich.edu
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| Brooks Applegate, Western Michigan University, brooks.applegate@wmich.edu
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| Ilse Schweitzer, Western Michigan University, ilse.a.schweitzer@wmich.edu
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| Abstract:
Addressing the needs of migrant children and their families at a variety of levels--social, linguistic, economic, and educational--is the focus of migrant education programs across the country. Migrant programming is varied in its focus and success. Even more noteworthy is the lack of consistent, cohesive evaluation. Our research initiative investigates the multiple stakeholder groups associated with migrant farm workers in Michigan and Texas and serves as the foundation for quality evaluation. This initiative employs a mixed-method, multi-tiered strategy in collecting data on the existing migrant education programs in Michigan from multiple informant perspectives, thus providing a holistic and in-vivo understanding of the summer Michigan Migrant Education Programs. Findings from our migrant director survey findings, covering 79 percent of all the migrant directors in Michigan, are presented. These data serve as the foundation to develop an effective, responsive evaluation to inform timely decision making for migrant education policy makers.
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Evaluating a Narrative Intervention Model (NIM) based HIV/STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Prevention Intervention in Urban India
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| Presenter(s):
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| Minakshi Tikoo, University of Connecticut, tikoo@uchc.edu
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| Stephen Schensul, University of Connecticut, schensul@nso2.uchc.edu
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| Abstract:
A great majority of women in the world are exposed to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STI) through the behavior of their husbands. However, few efforts have been made to directly address HIV/STI risk within the marital relationship. There is increasing recognition that to decrease married women’s HIV/STI risk it is necessary to address the couples interaction and social dynamics. This paper will present evaluation result from a culturally-based narrative intervention model (NIM) delivered using a randomized control design to assess the impact of couples versus individual versus those that get a combination of couples and individual counseling with standard treatment. This project is a five-year NIMH-funded project initiated in May 2008 that focuses on developing a culturally-appropriate and relationship-centered intervention aimed at the marital dyad to promote primary prevention of HIV/STI among married women, ages 18-40 living in an urban poor community of over 400,000 in Mumbai, India.
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Using a Mixed Methodology to Evaluate an Entertainment-Education Intervention Directed to the Spanish-Speaking Latino Community of Colorado
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| Presenter(s):
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| Mariana Enriquez-Olmos, Independent Consultant, marianaenriquez@hotmail.com
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| Cristina Bejarano, Independent Consultant, bejaranocl@gmail.com
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| Abstract:
This presentation will describe the results of the evaluation of an entertainment-education intervention targeting the Spanish-speaking community of Colorado. Funded by the Colorado Health Foundation, “Encrucijada: Sin Salud No Hay Nada” (Crossroads: There Is Nothing Without Health), was a twelve 30-minute episodes TV miniseries that aired in a Spanish TV network in Colorado from spring to summer of 2009. The evaluation of this intervention used a mixed methodology that included analysis of primary and secondary data. The evaluation found Encrucijada to be a highly successful intervention with statistically significant increase in disease management behaviors, healthy living behaviors, and behaviors seeking enrollment in public health insurance. The results of this evaluation are being used for decision-making purposes to possibly continue funding and/or expansion of this project.
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