Measuring the efficacy of career development services : agency and service providers perceptions
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Date
2006
Authors
Slomp, Mark William
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2006
Abstract
This study examined the perspectives of agencies providing career development services
in Canada concerning the current state of efficacy assessment. The central question
guiding this research was: How do representatives of career services agencies perceive
their evaluation practices and the results they are obtaining? A total of 147 (n=147)
agency representatives participated in an on-line survey. The data obtained through the
use of this survey were analyzed using a mixed methods design - methods included
frequency analysis, Chi square analysis and qualitative methods (to conduct content
analysis). A number of conclusions were drawn from this study. It appears that the vast
majority of agencies value reporting on the outcomes of the services they provide and do
engage in efficacy measurement. However, it is also apparent that certain types of career
development agencies do not value and do not engage in efficacy measurement to the
same extent as other types of career development agencies. In addition, it appears that a
strong emphasis is currently being placed on tallying the number of clients who secure
employment or return to school with a lack of emphasis being placed on other outcomes.
Finally, according to the sample in this survey, agency representatives are encountering
many obstacles in their attempts to measure the effectiveness of the services they provide.
The results of this study have many implications for the field of career development. In
order to provide a sound body of evidence attesting to the efficacy of career development
services much work will have to be done to build a strong framework to ensure
accountability.
Description
xiv, 151 leaves ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Career development -- Canada -- Evaluation , Vocational guidances -- Canada -- Evaluation , Educational counseling -- Canada -- Evaluation , Dissertations, Academic