When evaluating a program aiming to investigate contextual factors impacting access to informal mentorship for under-resourced and minoritized youth, consider the following five points:
Clearly define program objectives: Clearly articulate the objectives of the program evaluation, specifying the desired outcomes related to understanding the contextual factors that affect access to informal mentorship for under-resourced and minoritized youth. Determine the specific aspects of access, mentorship relationships, and contextual factors that you aim to investigate, such as barriers to mentorship, availability of mentors, cultural considerations, or systemic inequalities.
Select appropriate evaluation methods. Qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, or case studies can provide in-depth insights into the experiences of under-resourced and minoritized youth and identify key contextual factors. Quantitative methods such as surveys or questionnaires can help gather data on the prevalence of mentorship, access barriers, and demographic information.
Recruit participants and collect data.: Recruit a diverse sample of under-resourced and minoritized youth to participate in the program evaluation. Ensure the sample represents the target population and includes individuals from various backgrounds, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and geographic locations. Collect data on participants' demographics, experiences with mentorship, perceived barriers, and contextual factors influencing access. Conduct interviews or focus groups to gather rich qualitative data and use surveys to gather quantitative data.
Analyze and interpret data.: Analyze the collected data to evaluate the contextual factors impacting access to informal mentorship for under-resourced and minoritized youth. Use thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the qualitative data, such as systemic barriers, cultural factors, or community resources. Utilize statistical analysis to examine quantitative data and identify associations between demographic factors, access barriers, and mentorship experiences.
Provide actionable recommendations: Based on the evaluation findings, provide actionable recommendations to address the identified contextual factors and improve access to informal mentorship for under-resourced and minoritized youth. Consider recommendations that address systemic barriers, such as advocating for policy changes or increasing funding for mentorship programs.
