Translational Research Design: Collaborating with Stakeholders for Program Evaluation

Authors

Kari Morris Carr, The Oaks AcademyFollow
Jill Bradley-Levine, Ball State University, Muncie, INFollow

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine researcher collaboration with stakeholders in the context of a translational research approach used to evaluate an elementary school program. The authors share their experiences as evaluators of this particular program to demonstrate how collaboration with stakeholders evolved when a translational research approach was applied to program evaluation. Beginning with a review of literature regarding stakeholder participation in evaluation and other qualitative research, the article reflects on a method for conceptualizing participant involvement and collaboration within the translational framework. The relationship between researchers and stakeholders is articulated according to this method. We interpose these descriptions with their alignment to Petronio’s (2002, 2007) five types of practical validity for translational research. The paper ends with a consideration of what was learned throughout the evaluation process, including both successes and challenges, by means of the translational model.

Keywords

Translational Research, Translational Validity, Participation in Program Evaluation, Collaborative Research

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Kari Morris Carr is Director of Academic Development at The Oaks Academy, Indianapolis, Indiana. Her research has examined policy and organizational components of formerly Catholic-turned-charter schools in urban areas. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: Kari Morris Carr at kamcarr@gmail.com.

Dr. Jill S. Bradley-Levine is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Ball State University. Her research interests are teacher professionalization centering around teacher agency through leadership practice, innovative curriculum and instruction, and communities of learning. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: Jill S. Bradley-Levine at jsbradleylev@bsu.edu.

Publication Date

1-11-2016

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2016.2454

Recommended APA Citation

Morris Carr, K., & Bradley-Levine, J. (2016). Translational Research Design: Collaborating with Stakeholders for Program Evaluation. The Qualitative Report, 21(1), 44-58. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2016.2454