Implementing case study design to evaluate diverse institutions and STEM education contexts: Lessons and key areas...

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• STEM Education
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Student-centered programs and STEM initiatives in higher education require robust evaluation methods.
• The Diversity Program Consortium's Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative aimed to increase diversity in the NIH-funded workforce.
• Case study research provides a framework for in-depth program analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the contributions of case study research to evaluating STEM initiatives.
• To share lessons learned from the case study evaluation of the NIH's BUILD initiative.
• To provide guidance for administrators and evaluators of multisite STEM programs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized case study research design for evaluating the BUILD initiative.
• Summarized practical considerations for logistics in multisite program evaluation.
• Focused on fostering knowledge continuation and collaboration within evaluation teams.

Main Results:

• Case study evaluation provided critical insights into the BUILD initiative.
• Identified key lessons for designing and implementing case studies in STEM program evaluation.
• Highlighted the importance of trust-building and collaboration throughout the evaluation process.

Conclusions:

• Case study research is a vital methodology for evaluating complex STEM initiatives.
• Effective evaluation requires careful planning, clear objectives, and strong collaborative relationships.
• Lessons from the BUILD initiative can inform future program evaluations in higher education STEM.
• Emphasized the importance of practical considerations and knowledge management in evaluation design.