Toronto - Ottawa - Edmonton - Victoria
Services:  EDUCATION RESEARCH
R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. is well recognized and has a proven track record in the educational community as a leader in educational research.  Since 1985, the Company has conducted more than 60 research/evaluation projects.  This extensive experience has provided R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. with a comprehensive understanding of numerous education programs as well as the roles and responsibilities of various school-based, district-based and government organizations and agencies.

R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. has conducted a range of survey and evaluation research projects in the educational area.  From conducting comprehensive evaluations of educational programs involving in-person interviews of key stakeholders and telephone surveys of program participants to focus groups and administrative data reviews, R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. provides research expertise in the following areas:

  • technology-based learning
  • distance education
  • special needs programs
  • Aboriginal education programs
  • outcomes research
  • student loans
  • bursary programs
  • career/vocational training
  • accreditation research
  • "at-risk" youth programs
  • surveys of apprentices
The Company has completed more than 150,000 surveys of students and former students since 1985. The listed projects below are representative of the firm's experience in conducting major educational and training research projects:
  • Evaluation of the Canada Student Loans Program (2002)
    A major national evaluation of the Canada Student Loans Program on behalf of Human Resources Development Canada.  This project entailed completion of more than 20 focus groups across Canada, analysis of administrative and quantitative survey data, and numerous key informant interviews with experts, program staff and other stakeholders.
  • Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation (2002)
    R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. has done a number of major education-related projects on behalf of the Canada Millenium Scholarship Foundation. These include:
     
    • Student Finances Survey (2002)
      This national study focused on Canadian college student expenditure and funding issues. The study examined students' sources of funding, expenditure patterns, and current debt loads. Data analysis was based on more than 6,000 surveys of college students from across Canada.
       
    • Best Practices in Enhancing Aboriginal Participation in Post-Secondary Education (2002)
      This study identified best practices in Canada and internationally to enhance participation of Aboriginal students in post-secondary education. Site visits were completed with institutions in Canada that had pioneered unique strategies or initiatives to attract Aboriginal students. Programs in other countries were also studied and program representatives from the United States, Australia and New Zealand were consulted in compiling the best practices.
       
    • Secondary School Survey (2003)
      This research is designed to gather information about what students in Grades 6 through 12 plan to do after high school, what they know about postsecondary education and the various forms of funding available to attend at the postsecondary level, and how they envision paying for their potential education. The firm is responsible for assisting in the finalization of the survey instrument, development of a sample strategy for implementation in schools in multiple provinces across Canada and survey administration activities in multiple provinces.
       
  • Supporting Apprenticeship Training Through Innovative Use of Equipment (2003)
    This project, done on behalf of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, collected information from community colleges across Canada about the percentage of equipment that was considered up-to-date, and an analysis of the stability of spending on technology and the investment needed to support an increased number of students.
  • Assessment of Teacher Preparation Programs and Professional Development (2002)
    This study entailed a comprehensive review of teacher preparation and professional development offered throughout Alberta on behalf of Alberta Learning.  Utilizing a mix of both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus groups) approaches, the firm identified the strengths and weaknesses of teacher preparation programs.  Included in this study were surveys and focus groups with recently graduating teachers, principals and other educational stakeholders.
  • Satisfaction Surveys (2002-2003)
    R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. completed several surveys on behalf of Alberta Learning related to performance measurement issues for Alberta's K-12 education system.  More than 3,000 surveys of parents, senior secondary students and the general public were completed as part of this project.  The firm was retained by the Ministry to complete research in both 2002 and 2003.
  • BC and Alberta College/University Student Outcome Surveys (1996-2002)
    R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. has completed numerous follow-up surveys with post-secondary graduates 1, 3 and 5 years after program completion.  These projects have been done on behalf of key educational related groups including Alberta Learning, BC Ministry of Advanced Education and the Centre for Education Information, Services and Standards (CEISS).  As detailed below, the firm has completed in excess of 70,000 such surveys during the past six years.
    • 2002 BC University Outcome Survey (2 yrs after program completion - est. 6,000 completions)
    • 2001 BC College Outcome Survey (18,745 completions)
    • 2001 BC University Outcome Survey (5 yrs after program completion - 5,449 completions)
    • 2000 BC College Outcome Survey (21,476 completions)
    • 2000 Alberta University Graduate Outcome Survey (7,213 completions)
    • 1999 BC University Outcome Survey (7,112 completions)
    • 1998 BC University Outcome Survey (5,711 completions)
    • 1996 BC University Outcome Survey (5 yrs after program completion - 4,310 completions)
For additional information on R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.'s educational research experience, please contact:

Research Manager
Email:  staff@malatest.com
Telephone:  250.384.2770
Fax:  250.384.2774

Please click below for more information on the other types of research we conduct.
[Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement][Education Research]
[Labour Market Research][Health Research]
[Environmental Research][Other Research]
©2000-2005 R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.
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