Supporting Anti-Doping Organizations’ education plans through capacity building

Summary
 
This research aims to examine Anti-Doping Organizations’ capacity in developing education plans. In particular, it aims to identify the factors that make education plans effective and challenges that exist in order to support the implementation and harmonization of education plans.

Methodology

A 3-step mixed methods research design is employed with (1) semi-structured interviews of 64 national stakeholders involved in anti-doping education in eight different countries across four continents to identify key factors leading to effective anti-doping education plans and associated challenges, (2) a web-based survey of minimum 50 ADOs to measure achievement in education planning, readiness, and capacity needs in a global context, and (3) follow-up semi-structured interviews with representatives of 16 ADOs to discuss the findings and test the online tool developed to support the sustained implementation of education plans. Capacity building framework and Guidelines for the International Standard for Education will be used to code transcribed interviews and thematically organized findings, including quantitative data generated from the survey.

Potential significance for Clean Sport

This is an ongoing three-years research project whose results are expected to be presented in 2026.

Potential Impact

The anticipated output of the project is an online capacity self-assessment tool. This tool will particularly support small or less developed ADOs, lacking capacity and skills, to develop education plans. It will allow them to evaluate their capacity in developing such plans by highlighting areas where improvements can be made. Consequently, the research will support ADOs in developing effective education plans that monitor their progress in education programs, hence harmonizing the approach in anti-doping education.