"Program evaluation is a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer questions about projects, policies and programs, particularly about their effectiveness and efficiency."
The process of evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs and interventions, and using that information to make improvements and enhance outcomes.
Program evaluation: The process of assessing a program's effectiveness and impact through the use of various evaluation methods and tools.
Quality improvement: The process of systematically improving the performance and outcomes of a program or organization through continuous monitoring, analysis, and feedback.
Performance measurement: The process of collecting and analyzing data to measure progress toward program goals and objectives.
Data collection and analysis: The process of gathering and analyzing data to support decision-making and program improvement.
Outcome evaluation: The process of assessing the ultimate impact or results of a program on its intended beneficiaries.
Process evaluation: The process of assessing the implementation and delivery of a program to identify areas for improvement.
Logic models: A visual representation of a program's goals, objectives, activities, inputs, and expected outcomes.
Stakeholder engagement: The process of involving key stakeholders in program planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure buy-in and support.
Program planning: The process of developing a strategic plan for a program that outlines its goals, objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.
Continuous quality improvement: An ongoing process of improving the quality of a program through regular assessment, feedback, and adjustment.
Evidence-based practice: The use of scientific research and best practices to guide program planning and decision-making.
Health equity and social determinants of health: The recognition that health outcomes are shaped by social factors such as race, ethnicity, income, and education.
Cost-effectiveness analysis: The process of comparing the costs of a program to its outcomes in order to determine its value.
Performance reporting: The process of communicating program performance and outcomes to key stakeholders and the public.
Accreditation and certification: The process of meeting external standards and requirements for program quality and effectiveness.
Process Evaluation: Process evaluation involves assessing whether or not a program is being implemented as it was intended. This includes looking at the program's activities, outputs, and outcomes.
Impact Evaluation: Impact evaluation examines whether a program has achieved its intended outcomes. It is often used to assess the degree to which a program has met its goals and objectives.
Formative Evaluation: Formative evaluation assesses the strengths and weaknesses of a program while it is still being developed. This type of evaluation provides feedback that can be used to modify or improve the program as it is being implemented.
Summative Evaluation: Summative evaluation is conducted at the end of a program and is used to assess the overall effectiveness of the program.
Outcome Evaluation: Outcome evaluation focuses specifically on the changes that a program produces or is intended to produce.
Quality Improvement: Quality Improvement is a systematic process of improving program quality by identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to address them.
Performance Measures: Performance measures are indicators that are used to evaluate program performance. They are often used to track progress towards achieving program goals and objectives.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Cost-benefit analysis is an evaluation method that examines the costs associated with a program and compares them to the benefits that are achieved. This type of evaluation is often used to determine whether a program is cost-effective.
Continuous Quality Improvement: Continuous quality improvement is an ongoing process of identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to address them. It involves continually monitoring program performance and making improvements as needed.
Participatory Evaluation: Participatory evaluation involves working with program participants to evaluate program effectiveness. This type of evaluation involves engaging participants in the evaluation process and incorporating their feedback into program improvement efforts.
"To some degree, program evaluation falls under traditional cost–benefit analysis, concerning fair returns on the outlay of economic and other assets; however, social outcomes can be more complex to assess than market outcomes, and a different skillset is required."
"Considerations include how much the program costs per participant, program impact, how the program could be improved, whether there are better alternatives, if there are unforeseen consequences, and whether the program goals are appropriate and useful."
"Best practice is for the evaluation to be a joint project between evaluators and stakeholders."
"A wide range of different titles are applied to program evaluators... Program Analysts, Program Assistants, Program Clerks (United Kingdom), Program Support Specialists, or Program Associates, Program Coordinators."
"Evaluation became particularly relevant in the U.S. in the 1960s during the period of the Great Society social programs associated with the Kennedy and Johnson administrations."
"Extraordinary sums were invested in social programs, but the impacts of these investments were largely unknown."
"People who do program evaluation come from many different backgrounds, such as sociology, psychology, economics, social work, as well as political science subfields such as public policy and public administration."
"Some universities also have specific training programs, especially at the postgraduate level in program evaluation, for those who studied an undergraduate subject area lacking in program evaluation skills."
"Program evaluations can involve both quantitative and qualitative methods of social research."
"Stakeholders might be required to assess—under law or charter—or want to know whether the programs they are funding, implementing, voting for, receiving or opposing are producing the promised effect."
"Evaluators help to answer these questions."
"The process of evaluation is considered to be a relatively recent phenomenon. However, planned social evaluation has been documented as dating as far back as 2200 BC."
"...to answer questions about projects, policies and programs, particularly about their effectiveness and efficiency."
"Social outcomes can be more complex to assess than market outcomes, and a different skillset is required."
"...how the program could be improved, whether there are better alternatives..."
"Considerations include how much the program costs per participant... concerning fair returns on the outlay of economic and other assets."
"If there are unforeseen consequences..."
"Best practice is for the evaluation to be a joint project between evaluators and stakeholders."
"...whether the program goals are appropriate and useful."