3145-NEW AGEP Supporting Statement, Part B (Oct 21 2009)

3145-NEW, AGEP Survey Supporting Statement

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Sampling Variables and Approach

The entire population of students who are currently participating in AGEP sponsored programs will be surveyed as part of the National Evaluation of AGEP.

2. Data Collection and Analysis

Data collection for this survey will begin in the fall of 2009 and continue for two months. Technical assistance will be provided to any survey respondent who requests it. As noted earlier, such technical assistance may range from help in getting on line or interpreting a question to treating the survey as if it were an interview, and talking the respondent through the items.

Data Analysis Plan

As described above, we plan to collect data once at the student level. Because the AGEP evaluation study is primarily descriptive, much of the raw data will be useful in tabular form. Data may be presented at the level of individual alliances and across the entire universe of AGEP funded alliances.

3. Procedures to Maximize Response Rates

We expect a significant degree of cooperation from survey respondents at the student level. We also anticipate that campus coordinators of AGEP programs will work with us to urge students to complete their reporting responsibilities. Compliance is also likely to be increased because AGEP grantees that contribute to the study will receive copies of the reports that are generated from the data.

Survey respondent response rates will be monitored closely and individuals who have not completed their surveys one month after startup will be reminded via e-mail and letter. Those who have not completed their surveys two months after startup will be reminded with another e-mail and a telephone call.

4. Tests of Measures and Procedures

Each of the data collection instruments has been reviewed by appropriate staff at NSF. coordinators (or their designees). Recommendations made by the reviewers were incorporated in revised instruments.

5. Names of Statistical and Methodological Consultants and Data Collectors

This project is being conducted under contract to NSF by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The study design, sampling plan and statistical analysis will be developed by Drs. Carlos Rodriguez, Rita Kirshstein, Tsze Chan, and Charles Storey of AIR. Dr. Storey will oversee the data collection and analysis.