4.5 Policy and Program Evaluation

Question 1

Policy Evaluation

Answer 1

Develops an understanding of the merit, worth, and utility of a policy.

Question 2

An evaluative framework (for policy or programs) needs to consider:

Answer 2

• Utility: Who wants the evaluation results and for what purpose?
• Feasibility: Are the evaluation procedures practical, given the resources available?
• Propriety: Is the evaluation being conducted in a fair and ethical way?
• Accuracy: Are approaches at each step accurate?

Question 3

What are the main differences between Policy Evaluation and Program Evaluation

Answer 3

• The level of analysis required (e.g., system or community level for policy evaluation; program level for program evaluation).
• The scale and scope of data collection may be greater with policy evaluation.

Question 4

Evaluation of planning policies, not unlike plan implementation evaluation, can involve a ___________ or a ___________ perspective.

Answer 4

• A performance perspective would consider utilization: did the plan prove useful for subsequent decision-making?
• A conformance perspective would investigate the extent to which policies or implementation substantively align with the recommendations made by the plan.