|
Policy & research > What Works in Youth Development
What Works in Youth Development
Evidence-based practice and policy is an essential part of youth development. The Ministry of Youth Development has a three year programme of work, funding a number of systematic reviews in key areas of youth development.
Systematic Reviews
The Health Research Council of New Zealand, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development, has now contracted a series of Systematic Reviews of Youth Development research.
This series of pragmatic policy and practice-focused reviews will improve the base of evidence, build research capacity and capability and guide service delivery and policy-making in the youth development sector. The systematic reviews will cover the following three topics:
- Mentoring and young people
- The impact of targeted youth work approaches on social outcomes for young people
- Social marketing for young people
These reviews will ensure that there is a focus on providing systematic evidence of what works for youth development outcomes.
Mentoring and Young People: A Systematic Review
Dr. Susan Farruggia, University of Auckland. Completion date: 20 February 2010.
Summary: This proposed study will examine youth mentoring in the New Zealand context, including both stand-alone programmes and those that are part of wrap-around services. In order to achieve this the systematic review will:
- set the parameters of what youth mentoring is within international standards
- conduct a systematic search of published and unpublished literature
- identify studies that fit within the definition of youth mentoring
- assess the quality of youth mentoring studies
- identify the features associated with successful programmes
- disseminate the findings
This research will provide a comprehensive examination of youth mentoring in New Zealand and will identify characteristics of programmes effective in promoting pro-social behaviour among vulnerable young people. It can help direct the service delivery for a relatively low-cost, culturally-appropriate intervention that has been demonstrated internationally to reduce youth problem behaviour and increase well-being and achievement.
The impact of targeted youth work approaches on social outcomes for young people
Associate Professor Christa Fouche, University of Auckland. Completion date: 20 February 2010.
Summary: There is an ongoing debate on youth worker effectiveness, but evidence of the impact and outcome of the youth work is limited and disjointed. This is compounded by the fact that it is difficult to define the outcome measures and challenging to monitor these indicators over an extended period. Emerging evidence suggests that youth work as part of the wider youth development sector has the potential to impact on the lives of young people. The main objective of the proposed research is to systematically review the available research evidence on the impact of targeted approaches in youth work on social outcomes for young people.
What Works in Social Marketing for Youth?
Ms Carolyn Watts, Quigley and Watts Ltd. Completion date: 31 January 2010.
Summary: This review will provide systematic evidence of success factors in social marketing interventions which have improved outcomes for youth. It will identify population groups for which youth focused social marketing has been effective, particularly in relation to Maori and Pacific youth, as well as evidence of any unintended consequences of social marketing interventions.
A search strategy will be developed including search terms and selection criteria. The search and selection process will be systematic, replicable and transparent. Using templates the studies will be assessed for quality and data will be extracted for analysis. The information will be drawn together and compared using a qualitative assessment process.
This review will identify 'what works' in social marketing to change young people's behaviours. By highlighting what works in the literature on effective youth focused social marketing interventions, the review will contribute to improving the health and social outcomes of young people in New Zealand.
Top of page
|