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Hello!
You have received this link because you have been selected to participate in a 10-session Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Course. Your participation involves preparing for and attending ten class sessions (dates and times to be determined) focused on topical areas regarding the research foundation and empirical literature behind many of the EBPs used in corrections. We look forward to engaging with you in these classes!
As part of this pilot study, we ask that you to complete this pre-session survey about EBPs and the state of correctional practices. All results will be secured and tabulated by George Mason University.
Your responses and feedback will help researchers develop and tailor session content as well as help researchers understand how staff learn about and understand information on EBPs.
We look forward to working with you!
Dr. Faye S. Taxman & The ACE! Team
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RESEARCH PROCEDURES
This research is being conducted by George Mason University in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). The purpose of the research project is to deliver a training and education program intended to bolster foundational knowledge of correctional Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) research as well as highlight the implementation and fidelity of these strategies in practice. The project involves participation in ten classes related to the efficacy and implementation of various practices utilized in corrections. Prior to the beginning of the classes, you will be asked to complete an online survey, which will take approximately 30 minutes, and you may be selected to participate in an approximately 15 minute audio-recorded telephone interview seeking information about your exposure to EBPs. As part of this course, you will be asked to prepare for and attend ten six-hour class sessions. Preparation for each class will take approximately one to two hours and includes reading articles and listening to podcasts. Prior to each class session you may be asked to complete a short, 5-10 minute, online survey assessing your knowledge and obtaining opinions about the course topic area. During class sessions, you will participate in discussions and activities designed to enhance your understanding of the evidence regarding a specific EBP. Research staff will take notes during classes documenting conversations, lectures, and activities. Following each class, you will be asked to complete various assignments in your offices, and research staff will interview you about your experiences via audio-recorded telephone calls, which will take approximately 10 minutes. Upon completion of the course, you will be asked to participate in a final survey lasting approximately 30 minutes. Your rights as a research participant and confidentiality procedures are described below.
RISKS
The foreseeable risks or discomforts associated with your participation in the classes and interviews are limited. In answering questions, you may provide information or opinions about the department’s policies or your workplace environment that are critical of your agency or may be viewed unfavorably by administrators, your supervisors, or fellow employees. You may decline to answer any question that makes you feel uncomfortable or withdraw at any time. Research staff will implement security procedures to reduce the potential dissemination of this information.
BENEFITS
There are no direct benefits to you as a participant other than to enhance your own understanding of the evidence supporting practices in your agency as well as further research on staff experiences in community corrections agencies. Survey and interview responses will help researchers understand the fit of practices to your agency, the barriers to implementing evidence-based practices and sustaining these practices with fidelity overtime You may benefit in the long-term from improved implementation of EBPs and organizational work practices and policies as a result of this research.
CONFIDENTIALITY
We will employ a number of procedures to help keep your personal information confidential. We will not inform anyone about your refusal or participation in the research. All data collected will be housed on locked and password-protected computers stored in locked offices at GMU. All identifying information contained in surveys, researcher notes, and interviews will be removed and replaced with survey identification numbers and pseudonyms. Only the research team will have access to these identifiers. Consent forms retrieved from the initial survey you take, which are electronically signed, will also be maintained in locked, password protected computers in locked offices at GMU. Your survey and interview responses, and the researcher notes will not be made available to anyone at VADOC or anyone else other than research project staff. No names will be used in reports or presentations, and we will not provide any information that might allow someone to identify individual respondents. If we write a report or article about this research project, your identity will be protected to the maximum extent possible.
PARTICIPATION
Your participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason. If you decide not to participate or if you withdraw from the study, there is no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. There are no costs to you or any other party.
CONTACT
This research is being conducted by Dr. Faye Taxman, Department of Criminology, Law, & Society, at George Mason University. For questions or to report a research-related problem, she may be reached at 703-993-8555 or [email protected]. You may contact the George Mason University Office of Research Integrity & Assurance at 703-993-4121 or [email protected] if you have questions or comments regarding your rights as a participant in the research.
Your participation in the study indicates that: you are at least 18 years of age; the research has been explained to you; your questions have been fully answered; and you freely and voluntarily choose to participate in this research project. |
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| * I understand the informed consent including the description of the work series and its possible benefits, my role, possible risks and the steps taken to protect me. By electronically providing my first and last name below, I agree to take part in the study and work series. | | |
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Please indicate the length of time
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Please indicate the length of time
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Did you previously supervise a caseload? |
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| List all of the positions you have held in VADOC: | | |
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What type of caseload(s) does your staff supervise (Check all that apply): |
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What is your highest level of education? |
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In what field did you receive your highest degree? (Check One) |
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Please identify your ethnicity (Check all that apply): |
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WORKING WITH OFFENDERS
Please indicate the extent to which you believe your staff in the office/units you are assigned feel comfortable doing the following (Check one for each row).
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COMFORT USING MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
Please indicate the extent to which your staff feel comfortable doing the following (Check one for each row):
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TRAINING AND GUIDANCE
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements (Check one for each row).
My organization needs additional guidance or training in...
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IDEAS ABOUT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements within this organization (Check one for each row).
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IMPLEMENTATION LEADERSHIP Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements (Check one for each row).
My immediate supervisor...
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IMPLEMENTATION BEHAVIOR
Please indicate the degree to which you are dissatisfied or satisfied (Check on for each row). The extent to which you believe your staff...
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| Describe the term evidence-based practice (EBP): | | |
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| What makes practices or programs evidence-based? | | |
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| Who makes decisions about which EBPs to use? | | |
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| Describe your trust in EBPs or a specific practice (name this practice) | | |
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| What are the goals of supervision according to the agency? What are your goals? How can EBPs help you achieve these goals? | | |
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EBP PRACTICES Please select which listed programs or practices are considered Evidence-Based, Evidence-Informed or Not an EBP. Indicate your response by marking the box.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCEPTS The following section consists of questions gauging your knowledge about criminal justice concepts. Please select the best answer.
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CORE CORRECTIONAL PRACTICE CONCEPTS Please mark the choice(s) you feel best answers the question. Some questions may have more than one answer (Check all that apply).
Which of the following is true about static risk factors? |
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Which of the following items are static risk factors (Check all that apply)? |
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Which of the following items is NOT a static risk factor (Check all that apply)? |
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Criminogenic needs... (Check all that apply) |
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Which of the following is NOT a criminogenic need (Check all that apply)? |
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The need principle states that interventions should target ____ related to criminal behavior (Check all that apply). |
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According to the responsivity principle, offenders should be matched to services based on which of the following concepts (Check all that apply)? |
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Mental health history is... (Check all that apply) |
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Drug abuse... (Check all that apply) |
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Which of the following is NOT related to offenders' motivation to change (Check all that apply)? |
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Which of the following is a sign that the offender is ready for treatment (Check all that apply)? |
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Which of the following factors can increase motivation to change (Check all that apply)? |
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Which of the following should NOT be incorporated into a case plan (Check all that apply)? |
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Triggers are the _____ that tend to lend an offender to reoffend (Check all that apply). |
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Which of the following is an example of an internal control (Check all that apply)? |
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The process of creating a case plan should involve the offender in (Check all that apply): |
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Which is NOT true about case plans (Check all that apply)? |
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When 'problem solving,' the corrections professional and offender should (Check all that apply): |
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When identifying alternative options and solutions, staff should... (Check all that apply) |
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When assessing the positives and negatives of a situation, staff should... (Check all that apply) |
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Which tools assist staff with 'problem solving' with offenders (Check all that apply)? |
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Delivery of positive reinforcement for engaging in good behavior should NOT be... (Check all that apply) |
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Which of the following statements about desistance is true (Check all that apply)? |
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Which of the following is NOT a factor related to desistance (Check all that apply)? |
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To ensure a greater chance of long-lasting behavior change, the individual (Check all that apply): |
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