Knowledge Gap

1
Knowledge Gap / Service Gap
Program Planning
2
Purpose

• This is one of the most important elements of
  your proposal. It describes what the difference
  is between the current research / services and
  what is proposed by your program.
• (i.e. Here is what we know and here is what is
  needed to support your program/study)

Knowledge Gap
3

• Very specifically, identify the gap in knowledge
  and service (s) that you will address in your
  project.
• The reviewer needs to be able to make the
  connection that filling this gap is the next step
  in advancing your project or program
• A Gap is the health problem and your program
  will fill this gap and prevent further health
  problems or severity of the problem from
  continuing.

Knowledge Gap
4
Questions to Ponder

• What knowledge about this population or program
  type is missing in the published research?
• What essential services are missing for this
  population that would meet their needs?
• Why and how will this proposed program fill the
  gaps ?

5
Steps to Consider

• Research current studies or service provided for
  the population are similar to the proposed
  program.
• Discuss with the service learning community
  partner how the program will help the community
  meet its needs.
• Determine what the project needs
• State how the solution is unique, important, and
  how it will fill the problematic gap.
• Include what currently exists in services or
  research, what is needed, and what will be
  incorporated in this program to fill the stated
  gap
• Conclude with how the program will meet the needs
  of the people.
• Source Program Planning and Service Learning
  Handbook

6
Impact

• This piece will communicate to the reader that
  currently there is a gap in knowledge or
  services to a particular group. By the conclusion
  of this Knowledge / Service Gap, the reader must
  be convinced that your program will fill this gap
  and successfully meet the particular needs of
  this population.
• Source Program Planning and Service Learning
  Handbook

7
Example

• The use of (meth) has been rapidly increasing
  over the last 10 years. It has proven to be the
  number one used drug compared to all other abused
  substances. Although it is common all over the
  nation, Oregon has one of the highest meth abuse
  rates. Since this drug is not only easy to make
  but cheap to buy, and younger children are
  becoming involved in it more and more. Allowing
  the community to consolidate against the growing
  meth epidemic, communities will able to better
  educate, provide awareness of the problem, and
  focus on prevention tactics. UCAM proposes that
  by coming together as a community to take action
  towards the problem, it has much more potential
  to help members of communities.

Knowledge Gap
8
Example
Knowledge Gap