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Impact studies research the effects of a certain action on its environment or related issues, drawing data from various sources. They can determine whether a project is completed or not, and can also be used to judge a curriculum or educational program. An action plan can be developed based on the findings, and a second study may be conducted to determine if the situation could be improved.
In impact study research is done on a certain topic to determine whether a certain action would, or is, having some sort of effect on its environment or other related issues. The most common type of this study referred to may be an environmental impact study, but there are many other types as well. These studies draw data from many different sources and often look at many different aspects of the problem.
In an environmental impact study, for example, extensive research can be done before a road is built in a particular area. One of the steps may include determining how water runoff may be affected and if there are any vulnerable streams around. Another aspect could be a survey of plant and animal species in the area. Any person found in danger could influence the project. While this may seem like a small task, it often includes not only mammals and birds, but insects as well.
An impact study could determine whether a project is completed or not. There have been instances where the most improbable things have resisted major developments. For example, entire highway projects have been put on hold due to a certain butterfly species being endangered in one area. This shows how thorough some of these studies can be.
Another type of impact study can also be used to judge a curriculum or educational program. For example, the impact of the Head Start preschool program in the United States was analyzed to determine whether Head Start students perform better than students in similar circumstances who do not have access to the same program. The findings can be used by Congress, or the Department of Education, to determine how much funding such programs deserve in the future.
In some cases, a project may continue despite what an impact study finds. In cases where the negative impact can be mitigated by positive implications, there could be a net gain for the area. In other cases, the study may indicate ways in which adverse effects can be minimized.
While not often part of an impact study, an action plan can be developed based on its findings. This plan will seek to clarify any issues encountered by the study. If proposed, a second study based on the new action plan may be conducted to determine if the situation could be improved. However, in many cases, a second study may not be necessary.
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