Respond two the 2 discussions posted by my classmates using the required sources for both
Required Readings
Locke, L. F., Silverman, S. J., & Spirduso, W. W. (2009). Reading and understanding research (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Chapter 3, “How to Select and Read Research Reports”
Chapter 13, “Staying Organized When Reading Research Reviews”
Fink, A. (2020). Conducting research literature reviews: From the Internet to paper (5th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Chapter 1, “Reviewing the Literature: Why? For Whom? How?”
“Purpose of This Chapter”
“What Is a Research Literature Review? Why Do One?”
“What Exactly Do You Need to Find?” (subsection of “Choosing an Online Bibliographic Database,” p. 20)
I am currently contracted by a state technical college system to design and implement a 9-month, collaborative, problem-based learning experience. The designed experience is facilitated as a major component of the system’s biennial leadership academy that targets individuals who are employed by colleges within the system and have an interest in advancing to upper administrative leadership positions. This is my second contract with this organization. Conversations with the director of the initiative has generated discussions surrounding the plausibility of me contractually assuming the role and responsibilities as manager of the full program. My consideration of this prospect generates an interest in conducting a summative program evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the program (Walden University, LLC (Producer), n.d.)
The problem: There is a lack of knowledge regarding how the leadership program impacts the professional performance and advancement of its participants.
The implications of the evaluation results will help to determine the effectiveness of the program as it exists and guide decisions regarding modifications and refinement of the program design and delivery. As many higher educational entities and other organizations seek to grow their own as a strategy of sustainable leadership, the evaluation may lead to a possible article publication with the results potentially contributing to the availability of empirical evidence on the validity of professional leadership programs.
A literature review will provide a synthesis of existing research relating to the general effectiveness of leadership programs designed for professionals (Fink, 2020). Gaining a sense of what is known about the topic will serve as a practical guide for professional practice in the evaluation of the leadership program (Fink, 2000).
References
Fink, A. (2020). Conducting research literature reviews: From the internet to paper (5th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Walden University, LLC (Producer). (n.d.). Purposes of research [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
One of Fink’s example categories for reasons to do a literature review is to “describe and explain current knowledge to guide professional practice” (2020, p.9). Fink discusses an example of a school district wanting to look in the literature for documentation of the success of a new reading program before adopting it. I believe that a situation at my work would be similar.
The college where I work needs to improve its retention rates. I became interested in this topic because my immediate supervisor is the Vice President for Enrollment Management, and she often asks me to sit on committees involving student success and contribute ideas for how to turn around our enrollment crisis. With admissions and marketing focusing on new students, I have directed my attention in the registrar’s office to retaining our current students. This issue is important because declining enrollment causes budget issues that affect the entire institution, and these rates are also reported externally which can cause concerns for prospective students about the institution and negatively affect new student enrollment.
A possible factor in the school’s low retention rates may be the lack of any type of early alert system. The institution collects a lot of data, but is not using it effectively toward supporting student retention.
Enrollment management/student affairs division would need Board of Trustees’ support to implement an early alert system, but the division would need to explore best practice and research if early alert systems contribute to student retention before a proposal could move forward.
