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What Is Program Evaluation?
Definition: the systematic assessment of programs aimed at improving social conditions and individual well-being.
Evaluators use social science research methods to answer key performance questions.
Effective programs must accurately diagnose pro
What is the importance of the Evaluator-Stakeholder Relationship?
Importance: The relationship between evaluators and stakeholders influences the evaluation process.
Stakeholders include program sponsors, managers, participants, and the evaluation community.
Evaluators must understand the motivations and needs of stakeholders to tailor evaluations effectively.
Why Is Program Evaluation Needed? (2 points)
Complexity of Social Problems: Many social programs are well-intentioned but may not lead to positive outcomes.
Example: The "Scared Straight" program increased criminal activity among participants.
Need for Systematic Evaluation: Good intentions alone are insufficient; systematic evaluation helps identify effective programs and improve or replace ineffective ones.
What is Systematic Program Evaluation?
Definition: The application of social research methods to investigate the effectiveness of social intervention programs.
Evaluators must construct valid descriptions of program performance and compare them against established criteria.
What are the challenges of Systematic Program Evaluation?
Challenges: Evaluators face challenges such as the relativity of program effects and confirmation bias.
Systematic approaches are necessary to produce valid, objective answers about program performance.
What is the Central Role of Evaluation Questions?
Purpose of Evaluation: Evaluations are conducted for various reasons, including program improvement, accountability, and knowledge generation.
Understanding the purpose helps shape the evaluation questions and methods.
What are the Five Domains of Evaluation Questions?
Need for the Program
Program Theory and Design
Program Process
Program Impact
Program Efficiency
What is the Need for the Program?
Understanding the social problem and the need for intervention.
What is the Program Theory and Design?
Evaluating the conceptualization and operational plan of the program.
What is the Program Process?
Assessing the implementation and service delivery.
What is Program Impact?
Measuring the outcomes and effects of the program.
What is Program Efficiency?
Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of the program.
What is the importance of Assessment of Program Theory and Design?
Importance: Evaluators must assess whether the program's design is based on valid assumptions about the problem it addresses.
Logic models can help clarify the program's theory of action.
What is the Assessment of Program Process?
Process Evaluation: Evaluates the fidelity and quality of program implementation.
Ensures that services are delivered as intended and identifies areas for improvement.
What is Impact Evaluation?
Measures the actual changes in outcomes attributable to the program.
Evaluators must consider external factors that may influence outcomes.
What is a Cost Analysis and Efficiency Assessment?
Cost Analysis: Describes the costs associated with operating a program.
Efficiency Assessment: Evaluates the relationship between a program's costs and its effectiveness.
What is the Interplay Among the Evaluation Domains?
Integration: Each domain of evaluation is interconnected, and findings in one area can inform others.
A comprehensive evaluation considers all domains to assess overall program effectiveness.
What is the Role of Evaluators & Diagnosing Social Conditions and Service Needs?
Evaluators diagnose social problems and service needs through systematic procedures.
Effective programs are instruments for improving social conditions.
Define the Problem to Be Addressed?
Social problems are social constructions requiring public attention and organized intervention.
Definitions of social problems can vary over time and among stakeholders.
How do you Specify the Extent of the Problem?
Assessing the scope and extent of a problem is crucial for program design and funding.
Accurate estimates of problem size and distribution are often difficult to obtain.
How do you Define and Identify the Target Populations of Interventions?
Defining the Problem's Scope
Utilizing Administrative Data and Surveys
Look at Agency Records, Surveys, and Censuses
Gathering Public Health Priorities
What are the Types of Probability Sampling? (5 points)
Simple Random Sample: Equal chance of selection.
Systematic Sample: Known interval for selection.
Cluster Sample: Sampling within naturally occurring groups.
Stratified Random Sample: Ensures representation of subpopulations.
Multistage Sample: Combines cluster and individual sampling.
Who or What Is a Target Population?
Target populations are defined by social and demographic characteristics.
Programs may have eligibility requirements that constrain who can receive services.
Describe the Nature of Service Needs?
Programs must adapt to the specific circumstances of the target population.
Barriers to accessing services must be identified and addressed.
What is the Importance of Qualitative Research?
Qualitative methods provide in-depth insights into service needs.
Focus groups can elicit rich information about social problems.
How do you Organize Focus Groups?
Steps include selecting participants, preparing questions, and analyzing findings.
Focus groups can clarify perspectives and identify common themes.
What is the purpose of an Evaluability Assessment?
To determine if a program is ready for evaluation.
What are the activities included in an Evaluability Assessment?
Description of the program model (goals and objectives).
Assessment of the clarity and evaluability of the model.
Identification of stakeholder interest in evaluation and potential use of findings.
What is the outcome of an Evaluability Assessment?
Helps program managers recognize the need for modifications.
What is Program Theory?
Program theory must be articulated clearly to allow for assessment.
It explains why a program does what it does and provides a rationale for expected results.
Poorly designed programs often lack a convincing theory, leading to ineffective outcomes.
What is Program Impact Theory?
Describes the causal relationships between program activities and expected social benefits.
Evaluators must assess whether the program can realistically produce the expected changes.
Impact theory can be simple or complex, depending on the program's nature.
What is a Service Utilization Plan?
Outlines how the program will engage the target population and deliver services.
Must be organized to ensure effective service delivery and engagement.
What is an Organizational Plan?
Details the resources, personnel, and administration necessary for program operation.
Includes assumptions about staffing, facilities, and operational functions.
What is Eliciting Program Theory?
Involves gathering information from stakeholders to articulate the program's theory.
Can be done through interviews, document reviews, and observations.
Describe Assessing Program Theory?
Assessment involves evaluating the clarity, plausibility, and feasibility of the program theory.
Key questions include:
Are goals and objectives well-defined and realistic?
Is the change process plausible?
Are resources adequate for achieving the intended outcomes?
Evaluators can compare program theory with existing research and practice.
This can help identify strengths and weaknesses in the program's assumptions.
What are Possible Outcomes of Program Theory Assessment?
A poorly defined program theory indicates the program may not be evaluable.
Findings may lead to program redesign, clarifying goals, and restructuring components.
A sound program theory provides a basis for effective evaluation of process and impact.
What is Black-Box Evaluation?
Evaluation without understanding the underlying program processes.
What is Articulated Program Theory?
Clearly defined and understood theory guiding the program.
What is Program Process Evaluation?
Process evaluation assesses program operations, activities, and performance.
It focuses on service delivery consistency with program design.
What are the Types of Evaluation? (2 points)
Process Monitoring: Ongoing measurement of program performance.
Implementation Fidelity: Consistency of program operations with design.
What is the relationship between Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)?
Combines ongoing data collection on activities and outcomes.
How do you Assess Organizational Functions?
Monitoring Organizational Performance
Specification of Services
Facilitating Participation
What is the Importance of Support Activities when Assess Organizational Functions?
Fundraising, public relations, and staff training are critical for program sustainability.
How do you Assess Service Utilization?
Critical Issue
Coverage and Bias
Comparison of Participants and Nonparticipants
Data Utilization
Community Surveys
What is Undercoverage and Overcoverage?
Undercoverage: Proportion of eligible individuals participating.
Overcoverage: Participants not in need compared to total participants.
What is Coverage and Bias?
Coverage: Extent of participation by the target population.
Bias: Disproportionate participation among subgroups.
What are the Perspectives on Program Process Monitoring? (3 points)
Evaluator's Perspective
Understanding implementation issues is crucial for interpreting impact findings.
Accountability Perspective
Sponsors require detailed reports on program activities and outcomes.
Management Needs
Process evaluations help identify performance issues and inform corrective actions.
What is Process Monitoring and Administrative Data?
Continuous Monitoring
Provides regular feedback on program performance.
Administrative Data Systems
Collect client-level data for service utilization and outcomes.
What are the Process Evaluation Roles? (2 points)
Standalone Evaluation
Useful for new programs to assess operational integrity.
Complement to Impact Evaluation
Essential for understanding the quality and quantity of services delivered.
What are the Components of Process Evaluation? (6 points)
Six Components (Saunders, 2016)
Fidelity, Dose Delivered, Dose Received, Satisfaction, Reach, Recruitment.
What are the Process Evaluation Approaches? (2 points)
Individual Process Evaluations
Conducted as separate projects by evaluation specialists.
Continuous Program Monitoring
Regular assessments integrated into program operations.
What are the Key Questions in Process Evaluation?
Service Utilization Assessment
Are the intended target populations receiving services?
Is service delivery consistent with program design?
Performance Metrics
Number of participants, service quality, staffing adequacy, and participant satisfaction.
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Flashcard (146)