Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Education Programme.

Fully Funded MSc by Research Studentship in the Nursing Midwifery and Early Years Research Group (NMEY), Dundalk, Ireland

KEYWORDS; Systematic Review, Rapid Review, Mixed Methods, Educational Evaluation, Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.

Through the RiVeR Project, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) is responding to the impacts of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence through research, education and training.

The recently published Third National Strategy on Ending Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2022-2026 (Government of Ireland, 2022), highlights the significant personal and societal burdens that DSGBV places on individuals, families, and communities. This strategy adopts the four Istanbul pillars on prevention, protection, prosecution and policy coordination (Council of Europe, 2011), to scaffold the implementation of a zero tolerance approach in ensuring continued reduction in the incidence of DSGBV within Ireland. The importance of education in raising awareness and improving DSGBV knowledge and skills, is a fundamental feature in all four pillars within this strategy. The ‘Modified’ DkIT Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Education Programme, will be informed by both this strategy, and substantive feedback from previous learners and key stakeholders. The ‘Modified’ programme will therefore need to be rigorously evaluated in order to appraise whether learners and learning have been enhanced as a result of engaging with the programme. Therefore, this MSc. evaluation study will appraise i) product (what was learned), ii) process (how learning occurred), and iii) application of learning; among learners, following their completion of the ‘Modified’ DkIT DSGBV Education Programme. By utilising an explanatory mixed methods research design, this evaluation aims to examine the enhancement, or otherwise, of learners’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, skills, and commitment, to enhance DSGBV care provision, post programme completion. Following a systematic review / rapid review of DSGBV education, the empirical study will consist of two phases; quantitative phase 1 and qualitative phase 2, with 2 student cohorts.

Quantitative Phase 1:

Appraisal of product (the ‘what’ of learning), by adopting a retrospective pre/post-test design using a validated tool(s) that examines learner knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and skills, related to the distinct elements of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (e.g. Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence, PREMIS Tool).

Appraisal of process (the ‘how’ of learning), and application of learning, by utilizing Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick’s (2021) framework, to explore learner reaction to the programme, achievement of programme learning outcomes, learner behaviour and possible longer term programme impacts related to DSGBV care provision.

Qualitative Phase 2:

Focus group and/or individual interview data collection in this phase will be informed by data obtained in phase 1. Data will be further expanded upon to provide a deeper and richer understanding of learner knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, skills, and commitment, to enhance DSGBV care provision, or otherwise, following programme completion. This phase will also further examine the impact of programme format/delivery on learner and learning outcomes

Candidate Requirements

Essential

2:1 Honours Degree (or equivalent) in a related subject area (Healthcare, Psychology, Education, Social Care, DSGBV)

Excellent communication skills, written and oral. 

Competent in use of Microsoft office applications.

Research experience

It is also a requirement that any applicant whose first language is other than English must have a certified English language proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Desirable;

Research and data analysis modules

Further qualifications or training in research and data analysis

Experience in Systematic Reviews / Rapid Reviews

Experience in Mixed Methods Research

Experience in Higher Education Evaluation / Research

Knowledge of Irish Higher Education Landscape

Data analysis experience

Knowledge of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Education

Informal enquires about this project can contact Dr. Anita Byrne at [Email Address Removed]. Please note that canvassing will render the candidate ineligible.

How to Apply

Applicants please create an account HERE.

Select Academic term 2024/25, Academic Level is Postgraduate Research and Programme is River PROJECT 2

As part of the application you will be required to upload a copy of your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining your suitability for this position and your motivation. These will be requested after you submit your application.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4 pm (GMT) on Friday April 12th 2024.

DkIT reserves the right to extend this deadline