Basic guides
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This page has basic guides, that
are plain and clear descriptions of
what is evaluation, what is it all about. Must reads for
introduction to evaluation for those without technical
backgrounds.
First, we present some basic definitions of program evaluation.
Second we have links to sites with basic definitions.
Basic definitions of evaluation
"Program evaluation finds out exactly what a program does, to
whom, when, and where, and how it does it—and whether these
procedures and outcomes are ethical, cost-feasible, comparatively
cost-effective, generalizable, and intended"
Michael Scriven, posted
on the email discussion list of the American Evaluation
Association, Saturday, January 28, 2012, posted here by
permission.
Evaluation offers a way to determine whether an initiative has been
worthwhile in terms of delivering what was intended and expected.
However, good evaluation can also answer other important questions.
This website outlines the important questions.
International Center for
Alcohol Policies http://www.icap.org/PolicyTools/Toolkits/EvaluationToolkit/2WhatIsEvaluation/tabid/441/Default.aspx
Program evaluation answers these questions
- Does the program work? And how can it be improved?
- Is the program worthwhile?
- Are there alternatives that would be better?
- Are there unintended consequences?
- Are the program goals appropriate and useful?
Gene Shackman's Program
Evaluation Beginners Guide http://gsociology.icaap.org/methods/BasicguidesHandouts.html
Approaching An Evaluation – Ten Issues to Consider. Brad Rose
Consulting. http://bradroseconsulting.com/index.php/approaching-an-evaluation/
A list of ten basic questions that should be considered when doing
evaluation. For example
Question 1. Why is the evaluation being conducted?
Question 2. What is the “it” that is being evaluated?
and so on.
Links to
resources with basic information
TB Program Evaluation Handbook: Introduction to Program
Evaluation http://www.cdc.gov/tb/programs/Evaluation/default.htm
pdf handbook. Overview of eval, looks very good.
Introduction to Program Evaluation
http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec0991/ Brief
overview of major concepts. A slideshow. You can download gif's of
slides.
There is something strange about this website. If I make it a link,
you can't get to it. If you copy and paste, it works.
Introduction to Evaluation http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/intreval.htm
This
page
is
an introduction to basic ideas, types, questions. The next
page http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/pecycle.htm
is
the
planning-evaluation
cycle.
Evaluation Manual http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/improving-prescribing/program-development-eval/evaluation-manual/index.html
overview of most of evaluation.
What Is Program Evaluation http://gsociology.icaap.org/methods/WhatIsProgramEvaluationPhysiciansForPeace.pdf
basic guide written by Korinne Chiu, PhD, Director, Program
Evaluation, Physicians for Peace
What
is evaluation, Why evaluate
The Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/resource/the-program-managers-guide-to-evaluation-second-edition
best chapters include Chapter 1: Why evaluate your
program?, and Chapter 2: What is program evaluation?
Resource Guide for Evaluation http://donate.mccormickfoundation.org/page.aspx?pid=642
brief guide, answering basic questions line why evaluation, how to
evaluate. Short overview, not detailed. From the McCormick
Foundation.
Evaluation: What is it and why do it? http://meera.snre.umich.edu/evaluation-what-it-and-why-do-it
from My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource
Assistant.
Approaching An Evaluation – Ten Issues to Consider
http://bradroseconsulting.com/index.php/approaching-an-evaluation/
Brad Rose Consulting. 10 basic questions to ask before starting an
evaluation.
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Last validated 10/9/2015