"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 measuring the effectiveness of a program or intervention using various methods such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Basic Concepts and Terminology of Evaluation: Understanding the basic concepts and terminology of evaluation is crucial when starting to learn about evaluation in social work program development and management. This topic covers key definitions, types of evaluation, and different evaluation methods used in social work.
Logic Models: Logic models are graphical representations of the steps or components of a program, and how they lead to the desired outcomes. This topic covers the key components of logic models and how to use them in program evaluation.
Measurement and Assessment: Measurement and assessment involve using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the effectiveness of social work programs. This topic covers the different measurement techniques used in evaluation and how to select the appropriate method for a given program.
Program Design and Development: Program design and development entail the creation and implementation of social work programs to achieve specific objectives. This topic covers the key elements of program design including the identification of stakeholders, the development of program goals and objectives, and the creation of intervention strategies.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection and analysis are fundamental skills in evaluation as they are used to assess the outcomes of social work programs. This topic covers the principles of data collection and the various methods of data analysis, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Ethical Considerations in Evaluation: Evaluation involves ethical considerations that need to be considered during the design and implementation of social work programs. This topic covers the ethical issues that arise in evaluation and how to navigate them appropriately.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is a technique used to compare the costs and benefits of different social work programs. This topic covers the principles of CEA and how it can be used to evaluate social work programs.
Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Program monitoring and evaluation are ongoing processes used to gather data and assess the progress of social work programs. This topic covers the principles of program monitoring and evaluation, including how to design and implement an effective monitoring and evaluation plan.
Stakeholder Engagement and Participation: Stakeholder engagement and participation are critical to the success of social work programs. This topic covers the principles of stakeholder engagement and how to involve stakeholders in the design and implementation of social work programs.
Dissemination of Findings: Dissemination of findings is the process of communicating program evaluation results to stakeholders. This topic covers the principles of dissemination of findings, including how to share feedback with stakeholders, meet reporting requirements, and how to communicate results effectively.
Formative evaluation: A type of evaluation that is conducted during the implementation of a program to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Summative evaluation: An evaluation conducted at the end of a program's implementation to determine its overall success in meeting its objectives.
Process evaluation: An evaluation that focuses on the implementation process of a program to assess how well it was executed and identify factors that may have influenced its success or failure.
Outcome evaluation: An evaluation that assesses the impact of a program on the target population or community it was intended to serve.
Impact evaluation: An evaluation that seeks to identify the long-term effects of a program on the target population or community.
Cost-benefit analysis: An evaluation that compares the costs of implementing a program to its benefits or outcomes to determine its overall value.
Needs assessment: An evaluation that determines the needs and priorities of a population or community to inform program development.
Logic model evaluation: An evaluation that uses a logic model to map out a program's components, activities, and expected outcomes to assess its effectiveness.
Collaborative evaluation: An evaluation that involves stakeholders, including program staff, community members, and beneficiaries, in the evaluation process to ensure their perspectives are taken into account.
Fidelity evaluation: An evaluation that assesses how closely a program adhered to its intended design and implementation plan.
"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."