Assignment 4

Milestone Group 1

· Milestone 1: Learner Completed CITI Modules

· Milestone 2: School approved topic (Sections 1 & 2 of SMART form)

· Milestone 3: Mentor Approved Research Plan (complete SMART form)

Milestone Group 2

· Milestone 4: Committee Approved Research Plan

· Milestone 5: School Approved Research Plan

· Milestone 6: University Approved IRB

· Milestone 7: Committee Conference Call

SECTION #1

To be completed by learner

1.1 Learner Name

Yolanda Tucker

1.2 Learner Program

Doctor of Public Administration

1.3 Learner Email

[email protected]

1.4 Learner Phone

301-922-1300

1.5 Mentor Name and Email

1.6 Committee Member #1 Name and Email

1.7 Committee Member #2 Name and Email

1.8 Dissertation Title

Voter Registration Application

1.9 Site Selected

Washington, DC/MD

1.10 Contact Info for Site Approver and Expected Approval Date

SECTION #2

To be completed by learner

2.1 Project

Write one paragraph that describes the action research project and the basis for it being addressed.

In a 2012 study, about 24% of Americans were not registered as voters (United States Census Bureau, 2012). This includes people with the right qualifications but could not register for reasons such as unavailable registration forms. However, more recent studies report that the unregistered lot has substantially reduced (Burden & Neiheisel, 2013). One of the causes of the reduction is a flexible registration system that has been put in place by the relevant authorities. Even so, evidence shows that not all Americans are able to exercise their suffrage as provided by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). The Act, otherwise known as the Motor Voter, provides that an individual is recognized as a voter if they own a driver’s license. Following its enactment, some States have gone ahead to automate the registration process by virtue of ownership of a license. It is in this light that this researcher feels the need for an enlarged voter registration program. In addition to the voter registration drives initiated by various organizations and political parties, this research proposes a more expanded initiative. This research proposes that voter registration forms be availed in all public premises like post offices, libraries and possibly in all public schools. It would further be better if the forms were made easily available on the internet. Further, the basis for this research is to assert the basic rights of all Americans of choosing the leaders of their choice. As such, one way to highlight the significance of this right is to address this issues that contribute towards low voter turnout.

2.2 Contribution to Society: Using citations, answer the following questions in the order provided:

1. How does your project improve a current practice?

At the heart of this project is a sincere desire for more Americans to be able to exercise their suffrage. The study aims to onboard more young people into the process of choosing their leaders. Several of the statistics available in recent years point towards a young population that is not inclined to participate in voting (Wattenberg, 2015). Often times, the existing literature is limited to the effects of incorporating the young population into the voting exercise. In this light, this study shines more light on the aspect of how more people, especially the youth, can be brought onboard to participate in voting.

2. If your action research project is successful, how could your project impact your field of interest?

In 2016, various news/media outlets reported that some Americans claimed that they have never been asked to register as voters when registering for the driver’s license. Another section of the unregistered voters cites a dislike of the politics as their reason for not registering,while some are young and are unable or are unfamiliar with how to gain access the process. This research seeks to address these limitations. The activity of voting impacts every aspect of the nation and in very many ways. As Vecchione, Caprara, Dentale & Schwartz (2013) observed, voting and national values go hand in hand. This is to say that a population that is more inclined to vote depicts strong values in regard to the country. For instance, a highly voting nation implies the presence of strong patriotic values by the citizens (Vecchione et al, 2013). In this light, this study endeavors to highlight the interplay between the voting process and national values. This way, the study hopes to clarify some aspects of Public Administration as regards to the ability of every American to conveniently access voting registration.

3. What are the practical implications of your project? For example, what will be the impact of this project on your sample, your site location, or your workplace?

Such projects are usually undertaken with the short-term goal of achieving greater numbers of people who can turn up to decide the direction of their nation. In the longer term, the project hopes to inspire a generation into civil participation. The expected impacts of the research are a more civically aware society that understands what responsibilities lie on their shoulders regarding the politics of the nation. Specifically, the research hopes to stir the modern youth who are politically averse into more active political roles towards a better country (Farthing, 2010)

2.3 Need and Evidence to Make Change

Provide current information on your needs assessment or analysis for change. Include the cost-benefit analysis if indicated by design.

In 2010, the youth and young adult population is estimated to be around 47 million. In addition to this, more children are adding to the number. This is a significant population which has been reported to show aversion to civic involvement. In recent elections, the number of voting youths has been reported to be very low. It is important to ensure that everyone that is qualified to vote, has the knowledge of how to do so, as it is their civic duty and their right by birth.

2.4 Theoretical Foundation

Describe the theory or theories that serve as the backbone of your project. Provide references for each theory.

Hicks, McKee & Smith, (2016), wrote in their article in the American Politics Research that voter registration is as important an exercise as the actual voting process. The authors noted that the election reforms including an online voter registration (OVR) initiative is laudable. However, they observed that there is substantial opposition to the reform by the major parties in the country.They noted that although the support for the initiative was “near-consensus” and a “supermajority” seemed to endorse it, this may have been a mere distraction from the “reasons why there is opposition to this seemingly noncontroversial reform.” Election reforms usually are divisive since they elicit different and sharp views (Kropf & Kimball, 2013). Issues of elections are heavily influenced by those who maintain vested interests. For instance, politicians will want to ensure whatever reforms that are enacted, they will advance their political agenda. On the other hand, stakeholders such as unions, lobbyists and activists would want the reforms to be aligned with there political agenda which is not necessarily the same as the political candidates. According to Berry (2015), political lobbying is strictly interest-based such that lobbyists would not invest their time and efforts to advance an agenda if certain issues if there is a threat to an interest they hold dear.

Voter registration has to be reformed to be in tandem with the changing times. According to Maluk, Pérez & Zhou, (2015), approximately three million registered voters could not exercise their right to vote due mistakes on the voter registration roll’. This and other similar cases expose the limitations of an antiquated registration system that is prone to errors. It is ridiculous that citizens can use smart phones and tablets for many operations, including boarding a plane but to rely on ink and paper when it comes registration of new voters. Interestingly, smartphones are already having a substantial effect on voting behavior all across the globe. As per Alvarez, Levin, Mair & Trechsel (2014), there are voting advice applications which in a way aim to swing the national turnout during elections to the upper side. If such applications exist and are seen to be substantially affecting turn, it is therefore inexcusable that the same smartphones cannot help young people across the country to register as voters.

2.5 Researcher Positionality

· Insider

· Insider with collaboration

· Reciprocal collaboration

· Outsider, collaboration with insiders

Define your role, position, and how positionality will affect your research study.

Having interacted with the registration of voters for the last few elections, I generated an interest in getting to know how the process can be improved. I have held voter registration drives on college campuses, at train stations, and at churches. I am currently a paralegal and I would like to work for the election board one day where I can continue to evaluate and improve the process. I believe with my experience in the legal field, coupled with my education and I will be able to speak to people effectively about the need for more availability of the registration forms. Since I am active in the alumni associate of my alma mater, and attend a large church, I have access to many young people who are directly involved in the process. I therefore believe that I am in a good position to work on this topic.

2.6 Research Questions and Project Objectives

List the research questions or project goals. These should align with the need for organizational structure or project activities and outcomes.

Research Questions and Project Goals/Objectives

The following are the objectives of the study:

1. To describe reasons why it should be easier to obtain voter registration forms.

2. To demonstrate how the availability of voter registration forms can be expanded.

The following questions will guide the research:

1. Why is it important for voters to obtain voter registration forms easily?

2. How can the availability of voter registration forms be expanded?

The importance of the ease for voters to obtain voter registration forms cannot be overstated. This study intends to highlight what effects easily obtained voter registration forms will have on the overall turnout during elections. There are numerous efforts aimed at increasing voter turnout in the United States (Green & Gerber, 2015). However, it is apparent that the efforts are not having the desired effects on the objective. This could either be that the initiatives are not strong enough or that the initiatives are not aligned with present dynamics in the political environment. To ensure that the situation changes, this study visualizes a population that is able to effectively exercise their voice. Interestingly, Green, McGrath & Aronow (2013) highlighted various experiments that seek to expand the total number of Americans who can get out and cast their votes. In the study, the authors set out to experiment on the various ways through which voter turnout can be expanded. As such, this study will build on their findings as well as go deep in singling out online platforms and smartphones in expanding the availability of voter registration forms.

TOPIC APPROVAL

1. At this point, seek topic approval from mentor.

2. Mentor will submit mentored approved sections 1 and 2 to the school for approval of topic to [email protected] .

3. After school topic approval, complete the remainder of the SMART form.

SECTION #3

To be completed by learner

3.1 Action Plan

Provide detailed steps to implement your research plan. This should read like a recipe for conducting your project. Be sure to include all the necessary details so someone else would be able to follow this and replicate the project exactly.

3.2 Results

Describe your program evaluation and dissemination of results plan.

3.3. Measures and Instruments

List and describe each data collection instrument or measurement tool you will use, such as questionnaires, formal interview protocols, and forms. Include:

· Data type(s) generated by each measure.

· Available psychometric information (including validity and reliability coefficients).

· How this data will be used.

Attach a copy of each instrument you plan to use as an appendix to your SMART form.

3.4 If Modifying an Instrument:

Describe any pilot test or field test that may be required for any instruments. Type NA if not applicable. Field tests must be done:

· For new instruments or questions developed by the learner.

· With expert panelists. Field tests require no IRB review. A pilot test requires IRB review.

3.5 Assumptions

Identify the key assumptions of the project; use citations to support their adoption.

3.6 Limitations

Identify the current weaknesses of your project. Indicate areas to be improved before starting your project and areas that cannot be improved. Give reasons for not redesigning to address any of the limitations identified.

3.7 Population and Sampling

Describe the key stakeholders or population of your project. Briefly describe the characteristics of this sample, including:

· Demographics

· Inclusion criteria, if any

· Exclusion criteria, if any

Describe how you plan to select the sample. Include the steps you will take to include participants.

3.8 Sample Size

What is the expected sample size? Provide citations to support the sample size decision.

3.9 Expected Site

Describe the organization, site, or sites from which you expect to draw your sample.

3.10 Site Permission

Who is authorized to provide permission to use this organization or site? Does the site have an IRB? What must you do to obtain permission to access the stakeholders, population, or data source?

3.11 Participant Contact

How will potential participants be contacted initially? How will participants be contacted following the study?

3.12 Data Analysis

Describe analysis procedures for each data type such as audiotapes, transcripts, videotape, field notes, photos, descriptive analysis, and other quantitative analysis.

Describe all methods and procedures for data analysis including:

· Types of data to be analyzed.

· Organization of raw data.

· Data management and processing.

· Preparation of data for analysis.

· Data storage and protection.

3.13 Ethical Considerations

· Describe any ethical considerations given the sample population and/or topic. Please explain as fully as possible.

· Describe any ethical concerns about defined researcher positionality. Address any potential for coercion.

3.14 Risk Assessment

Is your study more than minimal risk? Refer to your CITI course for more information about minimal risk. Please explain.

To be completed by mentor

Mentor Name

Member #1 Name

Member #2 Name

Date and reason for deferral if needed

Topic Approval

SMART Approval

First Review

Second Review (if needed)

Third Review (if needed)

Faculty Chair consult (if needed)

Notes: