ID Model’s Goals/Objectives
The goal of the model is to provide a guided approach to altering the common held beliefs of a group through identifying peer leaders, training, and diffusion of information. While much of the information provided will not be new the novel presentation of that information through peers will hopefully be more effective at changing their behavior.
Supra-system Goal
The goal of the supra-system is shared by the ID model goal. Both hope to better inform students on alcohol use and to reduce the number of problem drinking episodes experienced.
Method of Delivery
Research staff will identify peer leaders and conduct instructional meetings on what/how to present/interact with their peers as leaders. Perhaps an online community could be created to offer remote support and allowing peer leaders to interact with each other.
Method of instruction
Lectures and group role-playing will be the main method of instruction. First students will need to know the reasoning behind this approach and information that will be conveyed. This will be done in a lecture format with question/answer sessions interspersed. Most importantly role playing will be used so peer leaders will get a feeling of how to broach this subject, which will lead to a heightened comfort level when put into practice. Follow up sessions in smaller groups may be used to ensure proper implementation in the field.
Logistical/Administrative Problems
As mentioned previously the largest problem is with data collection. Without clearly identifying a solution to this problem evaluation of the project will be nearly impossible. Several different methods may be followed including peer leader journal, surveys, and public records.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Model Status
Model Status Report
This model will be based up on a new research project looking at opinion leader within social networks and their effect on moderating negative outcomes caused by alcohol consumption. We would like to use the phenomena of "word of mouth marketing" through selected peer opinion leaders to alter the drinking behavior of a larger community, for example a single dorm on campus. This new direction interests me for its' potential to affect a larger number of people(efficiency), could be more cost effective, and the utilization of established yet growing social networks for the promotion of public health. This approach has never been taken with campus drinking. This program will be created from scratch using examples from HIV prevention strategies and from marketing strategies.
I see this project being completed in five stages.
1. Development
- procedure for identifying peer leaders
- define desired behavior to be carried out by peer leaders
- creation of training program for recruited peer leaders
- data collection process outlined(surveys/journals/referral records)
- establish collaborative relationship with outside departments(Residence Life)
2. Seek Institutional Review Board Approval
3. Pilot study to show proof of feasibility and to evaluate procedures
4. Implementation
- identification and recruitment of peer leaders
- training of peer leaders
- data collection
- maintenance of project(feedback) adjustments made as needed
5. Data Analysis and Final Reports
I’m still a little unsure of this model; perhaps it is over simplified in this status report. Certainly the evaluation of the project through data collection will be a hard procedure to define and implement. As for the final model I am unsure what that will look like. Will the final model be a general model based upon this project but would be used by other future projects as a guide?
This model will be based up on a new research project looking at opinion leader within social networks and their effect on moderating negative outcomes caused by alcohol consumption. We would like to use the phenomena of "word of mouth marketing" through selected peer opinion leaders to alter the drinking behavior of a larger community, for example a single dorm on campus. This new direction interests me for its' potential to affect a larger number of people(efficiency), could be more cost effective, and the utilization of established yet growing social networks for the promotion of public health. This approach has never been taken with campus drinking. This program will be created from scratch using examples from HIV prevention strategies and from marketing strategies.
I see this project being completed in five stages.
1. Development
- procedure for identifying peer leaders
- define desired behavior to be carried out by peer leaders
- creation of training program for recruited peer leaders
- data collection process outlined(surveys/journals/referral records)
- establish collaborative relationship with outside departments(Residence Life)
2. Seek Institutional Review Board Approval
3. Pilot study to show proof of feasibility and to evaluate procedures
4. Implementation
- identification and recruitment of peer leaders
- training of peer leaders
- data collection
- maintenance of project(feedback) adjustments made as needed
5. Data Analysis and Final Reports
I’m still a little unsure of this model; perhaps it is over simplified in this status report. Certainly the evaluation of the project through data collection will be a hard procedure to define and implement. As for the final model I am unsure what that will look like. Will the final model be a general model based upon this project but would be used by other future projects as a guide?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Module 3
1. Information Channels
The channel between the researcher/instructor and the peer leader must be created. First we will need to decide how to open this channel and how to foster it during the project. Initial recruiting contacts may be through email and phone calls. As the peer leader becomes more involved in the project a more personal approach must be taken, for example face-to-face contacts. Certainly training of peer leaders must be done in person. Follow-up training as needed may be completed both in-person and by other methods such as email and phone calls. The method of follow-up training will be left to the discretion of the researcher. Data collection addressing the interaction of peer leaders with their peers may be completed through interviews and/or journal entries by the leaders.
The peer leader/peer channel has already been open through casual interactions prior to the start of the project. Additional new interactions will continue to arise through the normal socialization of the peer leader in the community. These interactions may take place through in person conversations, phone calls, emails, and Facebook postings. Our project is mainly interested in the casual conversations that take place in social situations. These conversations already take place and we merely aim to add the discussion of the negative consequences of excessive drinking. Basically we’d like to take advantage of an established channel to promote our message.
2. Innovation-Decision Process
A. Knowledge Step
The step would be the research team collecting the relevant information about the field of this project, use of peer leaders in public health initiatives. From this a detailed plan of the project will be developed and package created to pitch the project to the potential stakeholder groups.
B. Persuasion Step
Upon developing the project the proper offices will be presented the aim of the project. This pitch will be made to the proper decision makers at Residence Life and perhaps pitches will have already been made to opinion leaders within the organization. In doing so hopefully we will already have out foot in the door.
C. Decision
This will be made by the Office of Residence Life. In order insure that our program will be supported ORL will be involved in developing the project so that any problems with the program will have been addressed prior to the final pitch of the project being made. Other decision makers will also include the Institutional Review Board and the granting body we will be seeking funding from.
D. Implementation
Implementation will be taken on by the research team and the peer leaders to be recruited. Due to the nature of research the protocol of implementation will be strictly followed as planned.
E. Confirmation
The project will be continuously monitored to ensure the protocol is being followed. Any changes that may be needed will be addressed as the need arises. The success of the project will be determined through the data collected and may guide future projects.
3.Other Factors
Identification of actual peer leaders will be crucial. More importantly chosen leaders must want or be sufficiently motivated to complete the tasks asked of them. Also will we use upper class students with already established social networks or freshmen with newly forming networks? It should be noted that the group that experiences the most negative consequences attributed to their drinking are freshmen. Also the scale of the community that will be targeted should be considered. Certainly a campus wide program could be overwhelming and targeting several smaller dorms may be a better approach to show proof of feasibility.
The channel between the researcher/instructor and the peer leader must be created. First we will need to decide how to open this channel and how to foster it during the project. Initial recruiting contacts may be through email and phone calls. As the peer leader becomes more involved in the project a more personal approach must be taken, for example face-to-face contacts. Certainly training of peer leaders must be done in person. Follow-up training as needed may be completed both in-person and by other methods such as email and phone calls. The method of follow-up training will be left to the discretion of the researcher. Data collection addressing the interaction of peer leaders with their peers may be completed through interviews and/or journal entries by the leaders.
The peer leader/peer channel has already been open through casual interactions prior to the start of the project. Additional new interactions will continue to arise through the normal socialization of the peer leader in the community. These interactions may take place through in person conversations, phone calls, emails, and Facebook postings. Our project is mainly interested in the casual conversations that take place in social situations. These conversations already take place and we merely aim to add the discussion of the negative consequences of excessive drinking. Basically we’d like to take advantage of an established channel to promote our message.
2. Innovation-Decision Process
A. Knowledge Step
The step would be the research team collecting the relevant information about the field of this project, use of peer leaders in public health initiatives. From this a detailed plan of the project will be developed and package created to pitch the project to the potential stakeholder groups.
B. Persuasion Step
Upon developing the project the proper offices will be presented the aim of the project. This pitch will be made to the proper decision makers at Residence Life and perhaps pitches will have already been made to opinion leaders within the organization. In doing so hopefully we will already have out foot in the door.
C. Decision
This will be made by the Office of Residence Life. In order insure that our program will be supported ORL will be involved in developing the project so that any problems with the program will have been addressed prior to the final pitch of the project being made. Other decision makers will also include the Institutional Review Board and the granting body we will be seeking funding from.
D. Implementation
Implementation will be taken on by the research team and the peer leaders to be recruited. Due to the nature of research the protocol of implementation will be strictly followed as planned.
E. Confirmation
The project will be continuously monitored to ensure the protocol is being followed. Any changes that may be needed will be addressed as the need arises. The success of the project will be determined through the data collected and may guide future projects.
3.Other Factors
Identification of actual peer leaders will be crucial. More importantly chosen leaders must want or be sufficiently motivated to complete the tasks asked of them. Also will we use upper class students with already established social networks or freshmen with newly forming networks? It should be noted that the group that experiences the most negative consequences attributed to their drinking are freshmen. Also the scale of the community that will be targeted should be considered. Certainly a campus wide program could be overwhelming and targeting several smaller dorms may be a better approach to show proof of feasibility.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Module 2 Model Exercises
Model Exercise A
1. Front End Analyses
A. Define problem in qualitative terms. Must be able to describe the current drinking behaviors on campus and after the Peer leaders have been utilized.
B. Evaluate long-term effects, more importantly determining how to measure any effects.
C. Develop Components of Solution. How will peer leaders be identified and recruited to participate. What motivation will be provided for their participation? Create training program for peer leaders and follow-up training as necessary.
2. Chapter 6
For this project we’re hoping to provide the opportunity for a series of personal (micro) interactions to change the behavior found within the larger (macro) system. This interaction between micro and micro has been studied but isn’t fully understood how to effectively promote change through this approach. Hopefully through this process we can better describe this phenomenon.
Model Exercise B
1. Needs
A. Statictically significant reduction of problem drinking behaviors within the dorm.
B. Identification of opinion leaders.
C. Effective instruction of peer leaders.
2. Priority
1. ID peer leaders
2. Instruct peer leaders
3. Reduction in problem drinking
3. Things to consider during FEA
- ability to correctly ID peer leaders
- clearly quantifying outcomes
- creating effective measurement tools
- how will the peer leaders be used within the dorm
- will Office of Residence Life cooperate with the program
1. Front End Analyses
A. Define problem in qualitative terms. Must be able to describe the current drinking behaviors on campus and after the Peer leaders have been utilized.
B. Evaluate long-term effects, more importantly determining how to measure any effects.
C. Develop Components of Solution. How will peer leaders be identified and recruited to participate. What motivation will be provided for their participation? Create training program for peer leaders and follow-up training as necessary.
2. Chapter 6
For this project we’re hoping to provide the opportunity for a series of personal (micro) interactions to change the behavior found within the larger (macro) system. This interaction between micro and micro has been studied but isn’t fully understood how to effectively promote change through this approach. Hopefully through this process we can better describe this phenomenon.
Model Exercise B
1. Needs
A. Statictically significant reduction of problem drinking behaviors within the dorm.
B. Identification of opinion leaders.
C. Effective instruction of peer leaders.
2. Priority
1. ID peer leaders
2. Instruct peer leaders
3. Reduction in problem drinking
3. Things to consider during FEA
- ability to correctly ID peer leaders
- clearly quantifying outcomes
- creating effective measurement tools
- how will the peer leaders be used within the dorm
- will Office of Residence Life cooperate with the program
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)