Evaluation Research

Question 1

Program Evaluation

Answer 1

“ Is the use of social research procedures to systematically investigate the effectiveness of programs” (Rossi, Freeman, Lipsay , 1993)

Question 2

Program Evaulation

Answer 2

Systematic collection of information about the activities, characteristics, and results of programs to:

(1) to make judgments about the program,
(2) improve or further develop program effectiveness,
(3) inform decisions, and/or
(4) increase understanding. (Michael Quinn Patton, 2008)

Question 3

Types of Evaluation - Formative Evaluation

Answer 3

Formative evaluation, which evaluates the program planning to improve performance during the implementation phase (also referred to as a mid-term evaluation)

Question 4

Types of Evaluation – Outcome Evaluation

Answer 4

Outcome evaluation, which measures the results of the program to assess how it has achieved outcomes. An outcome evaluation asks, “did we do what we set out to do”?

Question 5

Types of Evaluation – Summative Evaluation

Answer 5

Summative evaluation, which evaluates the effectiveness of the program impacts. This goes beyond the outcome evaluation to conceptualize whether the outcomes really made a difference.

Question 6

Types of Evaluation – Meta-Evaluation

Answer 6

Meta-evaluation, which evaluates an evaluation or commutes the finding from several evaluations (i.e., what did these evaluations find over a 10 year period?)

Question 7

Types of Program Evaluation - Formative

Answer 7

• is a method for judging the worth of a program while the program activities are in progress
• focuses on program improvement. It is conducted early during the program to provide information whether any changes should be made in program implementation
• Can look to the process

Question 8

Types of Program Evaluation – Outcome, Summative, Impact Evaluation

Answer 8

• Is the program/service meeting the stated outcome
• focuses on program products, results or impact. It is conducted to provide evidence about the worth or merit of a program. Summative evaluation typically is conducted later in the program