Examining Outcomes of a Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Research Fellows Program Through the Lens of a Logic Model

• In Event: Developing Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Scholars to Advance the Field: Projects and Training

Abstract

Summary. The presentation will present the outcomes of processes and collaborations between the funder, the project team, and other stakeholders to create a network to support postsecondary CTE research and develop the next generation of CTE researchers.
Objectives. The objectives of the paper are to (1) describe the processes used to develop postsecondary researchers. (2) align the process to a logic model, and (3) detail the outcomes of the fellows’ program.
Foundational Framework. For researchers to be able to conduct high-quality research, specific knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed. Becker (1962) describes human capital theory and discusses the impacts on individuals with increased earning and the potential return on investment for the organization. In this example, it is assumed that an investment in training and education (training institutes, mentoring, webinars) will increase learning. The second assumption is that increased learning will increase productivity (more postsecondary CTE research is produced). Then higher productivity will result in increased earning and enhance self-efficacy of the research fellows. Additionally, this increased productivity would provide results that can be used to improve the overall field of postsecondary CTE.


Application of Human Capital Theory To Training Postsecondary CTE Research Fellows Based on Swanson and Holton (2001).

Methods. This paper uses quantitative and qualitative data collected throughout the fellows’ program. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from quarterly reports, webinar evaluations, and training institute evaluations.
Data Sources. Postsecondary CTE research fellows completed surveys and submitted quarterly reports around their deliverables, the impact of the program, and further opportunities that stemmed from participation in the program.
Results. The results of this work have shown growth in research skills, increased application of research skills in conference presentations, journal articles, grant funding, and other impacts beyond the initially intended program deliverable.
Significance. The initial goals of the program were met and exceeded which fills a needed gap in postsecondary CTE research and increases the need for more postsecondary CTE researchers. By developing researchers, there is hope the field will have more information for practitioners to make data-based decisions in postsecondary CTE programs.

Authors

• James E. Bartlett, North Carolina State University

• Michelle Elizabeth Bartlett, North Carolina State University

• Patrick Quillan Bourke, ECMC Foundation