Diversity awareness training : a quasi-experimental evaluation of changes in trainees' attitudes, knowledge and skills

Abstract

A quasi-experimental evaluation was undertaken to measure the extent to which a I-day diversity awareness training programme resulted in changes in trainees' attitudes, knowledge and skills. A pre, post and post-post test design was employed. Changes in attitudes, knowledge and skills were measured using the Quick Discrimination Index (Ponterotto, et aI., 1995) as well as a Diversity Questionnaire developed by the researcher. Results show that immediately after the training intervention, increased levels of knowledge and skill were measured. However, three months after the training, no significant changes in trainees' attitudes and levels of knowledge and skill were found, leading to the conclusion that the training had no lasting effect. Amongst other things these results offered support for the proposition that factors in the work environment critically contribute to the sustainability of anticipated outcomes of diversity training programmes.