| The effectiveness of a career education mini-course was evaluated using a pre-experimental research design. Quantitative and qualitative processes were used to determine if the mini-course was effective and why it was either effective or ineffective. Quantitative data were collected using the Career Decision Scale. Qualitative data were collected using observations, a focus group interview, and an open-ended questionnaire. Subjects were 32 freshmen students, ranging in age from 14 to 16, who received career education instruction 90 minutes a day for 11 consecutive days. Results from the pretest-posttest design indicated mixed results. Students improved their Certainty Scale scores as a result of the mini-course. However, their Indecision Scale scores did not significantly decrease as would be expected as a result of the mini-course. Analyses of the qualitative data suggested that the course activities, design, and duration contributed to the findings. |
