ERIC Number: EJ1251008
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2196-3673
EISSN: N/A
Practitioners' Use of Research in Decision Making about Organized Out-of-School Time Programs Serving Adolescents
Mahoney, Joseph L.
International Journal for Research on Extended Education, v4 n2 p34-55 2016
Research shows that adolescent participation in organized out-of-school time (OST) programs (e.g., after-school programs) is linked to positive developmental outcomes. However, whether OST program practitioners use this research to inform their decision making is unclear. Therefore, a science-to-practice gap may exist in OST programs. To assess the use of research, 21 OST program directors from the United States were interviewed. Directors identified the components of their programs (i.e., goals and activities) and rationales for choosing each component. Direct questions about the use of research in making program decisions were asked. Findings revealed that use of empirical research was seldom mentioned. Practitioners referred to research in other terms including attending trainings, online searches, and learning from other programs. This suggests there is a science-to-practice gap in OST programs, but also points to several ways that researcher-practitioner partnerships may narrow the gap.
Descriptors: After School Programs, Youth Programs, Community Programs, Administrators, Administrator Attitudes, Educational Objectives, Theory Practice Relationship, Research Utilization, Activities, Attitudes, Skill Development, Job Training, Partnerships in Education
Budrich Journals. Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH, Stauffenbergstr. 7, 51379 Leverkusen, Germany. e-mail: info@budrich-journals.de; Web site: https://www.budrich-journals.de/index.php/IJREE
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A