Program Evaluation ASWB Exam

What are the 6 steps of doing a program evaluation?

1. Engage Stakeholders

2. Describe the Program Design

3. Focus Evaluation Design

4. Gather Credible Evidence

5. Justify Conclusions

6. Use and Share Lessons Learned

Determines if a program is needed and for whom, often a precursor to development or early evaluation.

Purpose: To understand the specific needs that a social work program should address.

Needs Assessment

Focuses on improving a program during its early stages, checking feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability.

Purpose: To monitor and enhance a program while it is being implemented.

Formative Evaluation

Conducted at the end to judge the overall value, worth, and effectiveness of a program.

Purpose: To evaluate the overall effectiveness of a program post-implementation.

Summative Evaluation

The process of measuring the specific outcomes or results of a program.

Purpose: To determine whether the program has achieved its goals and objectives.

Outcome Evaluation

Determines the broader, long-term, causal effects of a program, comparing outcomes with what would have happened without it.

Impact Evaluation

Compares the relative costs and outcomes (effects) of different programs or interventions.

Purpose: To determine which program provides the best outcomes for the least cost.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Compares the total expected costs of a program against its total expected benefits, expressed in monetary terms.

Purpose: To assess the financial return on investment of a program.

Cost-Benefit Analysis