Training Effectiveness Research

IGSW’s commitment to assess and evaluate training effectiveness has become an increasing focus of our activities. At present, we are in the planning and/or implementation stages of multiple studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the training we support, and to improve our understanding of the barriers to successful transfer of practice skills in continuing education for social workers.

Some of our ongoing research projects include:

Analysis of training effectiveness

We are currently conducting a series of small studies to evaluate different types of training (Face-to-Face; Web seminar; Interactive Self-Paced (ISP) and Print and Go). Using focus groups with participants and supervisors in our project with Elder Services of Merrimack Valley (ESMV) and the Retired Social Workers (RSW) Project, we will conduct evaluations to learn to what extent information and skills gained in the training have been used and proven helpful in their work with older adults.

Developing benchmarks of training effectiveness based on training evaluations

Training participants in our courses voluntarily complete course evaluation forms. We are analyzing these data to better understand what participants like and do not like about our courses, and also to develop benchmarks that we can use to assess the effectiveness of particular trainers, courses, and modes of training. These benchmarks will be completed this year.