Past Experiences

In our inaugural year, we invited 12 Ivy Tech students from across Indiana to participate in an intensive, 1-week, summer research project. After learning about research methods, students split into 2 teams and completed a research project on food insecurity. One team analyzed pre-collected quantitative data and the other team analyzed the qualitative data. Teams then met to mix their data in search of triangulated data for results.

Team 1:
Data source: 2 semi-structured interviews
Data analysis method: Thematic analysis

Findings:
• We found the data reflects the BackPack Program’s influence over family dynamics and stigma
related to food assistance programs
• Our data conveys that families would like the portion sizes to provide full meals that reflect their
family size
• Our findings reflect parents’ dissatisfaction with the lack of options for dietary restrictions
• The quantitative findings backed up our qualitative data as both interviewees conveyed that
they would suggest more meals for the whole family and to include more fruits and vegetables

Team 2:
Data source: 12 surveys
Data analysis method: Descriptive analyses

Findings:
• Parents mostly want to see more Fruits & Vegetables, followed by meals for the whole family.
• Parents strongly approve of the program

 “The Blue Sky Summer Scholars Program was an immersive campus experience dedicated to a focused research project. It was a lot of fun to explore campus and be a part of a supportive learning community of like-minded Scholars.”