Inquiry Research Proposal Assignment (15%)

Decades of research has shown that certain youth are underrepresented in PSE. First-generation students (those whose parents didn’t complete postsecondary), low-income students, Indigenous students and students with disabilities are less likely to enroll in postsecondary education, and less likely to attain a PSE credential than their peers.” (Deller, Kaufman, & Tamburri, 2019).

A report from the Canadian Student Alliance in 2011 indicated a critical need for improved research evidence surrounding what access programs and strategies are the most effective pathways for underrepresented populations in the achievement of access to post-secondary education opportunities (Miner, 2011).  While it is evident that there are a multitude of access programs that are readily available to at-risk populations,  “the very fact that so many organizations are currently involved in access programs in the GTA pushes the need for coordination at, or very close, to the top of the priority list of what needs to be done to improve the situation” (Miner, 2011, p. 33).

Additionally, Michalski, Cunningham and Henry (2017) conducted an examination of Canadian data with respect to access issues and the possible barriers to increasing diversity among postsecondary institutions.

The ongoing underrepresentation of students encountering barriers in post-secondary education and access suggests that varied and diverse approaches to educational achievement is needed.  In this research project, your team must complete research to inform a recommendation for improving post-secondary access in Hamilton for students who may be at risk of achieving access to post-secondary education opportunities. In this research project, your team must develop a recommendation for improving the coordination of access initiatives in Hamilton for an students who may be at risk of achieving access to post-secondary education opportunities (i.e. First generation students, students experiencing low income, Newcomers to Canada, racialized students, and students with disabilities).

Requirements:

For your Research Proposal, your team will outline your intentions for how you will develop your research in this course. Your proposal will include the following information below. Please answer all questions in the following document: Inquiry Research Proposal W25-2.docx

Students will have a work period on Feb 5th to work on the assignment and it is due at the end of class (3:00pm). However, students should also be working on the assignment leading up to the class period.

Background Information: Describe and outline how your project addresses a need for improved access to post-secondary education amongst under-represented populations within the Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Proposed Method: Outline your target audience, activities you will undertake as well as how information will be gathered and subsequently evaluated.

Participants: Clearly identify who your target population is, eligibility criteria, and how they will be selected whilst maintaining ethical principles.

Potential Benefits: Identify why your research is important and who it will benefit.

Research Questions: Write 5 to 10 questions that you will ask your research participants (i.e. the staff at the community partner you have chosen for your research project). These questions should be open-ended, non-leading, avoid any bias, and be directly related to the topic your group has chosen to explore. These questions do not include identifying questions such as name and job title.

Please note: You cannot send your questions to research participants until your professor has approved your Proposal

Formatting Requirements:

• Complete the provided research proposal template.
• The assignment must follow APA format

Inquiry Research Proposal Assignment (15%)

Due Date: Feb 5^th 3:00pm (end of class)

INSTRUCTIONS

This template is the required proposal format, to be completed in full.  Read through each section carefully, and include specific information and examples to support your ideas as your group develops your proposal.

Project Title:

Organization: Mohawk College

Names of Student Participants (first and last names):

 

Section 1.  Background This section outlines the relevance and need for this research project.  Your proposal must demonstrate the following: ·          Describe and outline how your project addresses a need for improved access to post-secondary education amongst under-represented populations within the Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Section 2. Proposed Method This section outlines your plan for collaboration with community partners and organizations.   Your research proposal must demonstrate the following: ·         Outline your target audience, activities you will undertake as well as how information will be gathered and subsequently evaluated.

Section 3: Participants This section provides the sampling procedure, criteria for inclusion, or selection process of participants involved.  Your proposal must identify the following: ·         Clearly identify who your target population is, eligibility criteria, and how they will be selected whilst maintaining ethical principles.

Section 4: Potential Benefits This section of the research proposal will explain how this research makes an original and creative contribution to the community and the research participants.  In your proposal it is important to address: ·      Identify why your research is important and who it will benefit.

Section 6: Research Questions This section is where you list 5 to 10 questions you will ask your research participants (i.e., the staff at the community partner(s) you have chosen to work with).  ·         Write 5 to 10 questions that you will ask your research participants (i.e. the staff at the community partner you have chosen for your research project). These questions should be open-ended, non-leading, avoid any bias, and be directly related to the topic your group has chosen to explore. These questions do not include identifying questions such as name and job title.