Program Evaluation Program Evaluation EssentialsEssentials

WHAT is Program WHAT is Program Evaluation?Evaluation?

Think/Draw/PairThink/Draw/Pair

Share your image with the person Share your image with the person sitting next to you and notice common sitting next to you and notice common themesthemes

Draw the first image that comes to mind when you hear or see the word evaluation

Label your drawing with a word or two that describes the image

Evaluation defined…Evaluation defined…

• Systematic determination of the merit or worth of an object. (Scriven, 1967)

• Utilization-focused program evaluation: done for and with specific intended primary users for specific, intended uses. (Patton, 2008)

• What? So what? Now what? (Patton, 2008)

• Numerous additional definitions.

How is evaluation different How is evaluation different

from research?from research?• Similarities:

o Describe objects studied

o Understand the relationships between variables

o Use qualitative and quantitative methods

How is evaluation different How is evaluation different from research?from research?

• Differences:

o Purpose

o Utility

o Context

o Judgmental quality 

Common misconception #1Common misconception #1

Evaluation is only about numbers (quantitative data)

Common misconception #2Common misconception #2

RESEARCH is about numbers; evaluation is NOT about numbers.

Instead, evaluation is about words, stories, and anecdotes (qualitative data)

Rather. . .Rather. . .

Research Research ANDAND evaluation evaluationuse use BOTHBOTH

quaquantntitative itative ANDAND quaquallitative methodsitative methods

Evaluation is a professionEvaluation is a professionguided by standardsguided by standards

The Joint Committee Program Evaluation Standards

  Utility

Feasibility

Propriety

Accuracy 

WHY would I use WHY would I use Program Evaluation in Program Evaluation in my organization?my organization?

Top 10 reasons you Top 10 reasons you might use evaluation…might use evaluation…

 To establish the impact of a program

To see if a program achieved its outcomes

To make informed decisions about a program, policy, product

To determine the need for a program

To improve a program

To figure out how a program can be or has been To figure out how a program can be or has been implementedimplemented

To determine a program’s merit, worth, or valueTo determine a program’s merit, worth, or value

To examine To examine howhow a program works a program works

To distinguish what works from what doesn’tTo distinguish what works from what doesn’t

And thus, to make the world a better placeAnd thus, to make the world a better place

Top 10 reasons you Top 10 reasons you might use evaluation…might use evaluation…

What's in it for me?What's in it for me?  

   

• Useful skills Useful skills

• Support from others Support from others

• Ability to impress Ability to impress people people

• Good food Good food

• It’s fun!It’s fun!

What's in it for my What's in it for my organization?organization?

• Clarifies purpose & direction

• Develops common language

• Provides opportunities for collaboration

• Contributes to credibility & helps secure funding

• Promotes motivation & excitement

• Promotes organizational learning & improvement

• Increases effectiveness

• Furthers good decision making   

What evaluation What evaluation isis and and what you and your what you and your

organization organization getget from from evaluation depend on evaluation depend on

the purpose you the purpose you establish for the establish for the

evaluationevaluation

Evaluation PurposesEvaluation Purposes  

Two main purposes:•     Valuing (Michael Scriven)

•     Decision-making (Daniel Stufflebeam and Michael Quinn Patton) 

                   Accountability                 Development 

More recently discussed purposes:•     Evaluation for learning (Torres & Preskill, 2001; Preskill, 2008)

•     Evaluation for social betterment (Mark & Henry, 2003; 2004)

•     Evaluation for deliberative democracy (House & Howe, 2000)

    

HOW can I begin use of HOW can I begin use of evaluation?evaluation?

So it all starts with a So it all starts with a Question…Question…

What do you want to know about your program? 

How does your program work?

What is the impact of your program?

What opportunities do you have to

expand your program to serve others?

How or to what degree do the resources and activities meet the needs of stakeholders?

Answering the question Answering the question requires…requires…

Systematic collection and analysis of datao This might mean using quantitative measures,

qualitative measures, or both

Possible ways to collect Possible ways to collect data for an evaluationdata for an evaluation

Quantitative:

o Surveyso Participant

assessmentso Cost-benefit analysiso Statistical analysis of

existing program datao Some kinds of record

and document review

Qualitative:

o Focus groupso Interviewso Observationso Appreciative inquiryo Case studieso Some kinds of record

and document review

What are the best What are the best methods for your methods for your

evaluation??evaluation??It all goes back to the question you started with…

Some data collection methods are better than others at answering your questions

And some tools are more appropriate for the audience you need to collect information from

The Evaluation ProcessThe Evaluation Process

1.1. Determine the object (program, process, Determine the object (program, process, etc.) for evaluation and available resourcesetc.) for evaluation and available resources

2.2. Develop guiding evaluation question(s)Develop guiding evaluation question(s)

3.3. Design the evaluation, including methodsDesign the evaluation, including methods

4.4. Implement the evaluation: collect Implement the evaluation: collect information, analyze and interpret findingsinformation, analyze and interpret findings

5.5. Report and use evaluationReport and use evaluation

Questions?Questions?

This presentation was developed for This presentation was developed for the Minnesota Evaluation the Minnesota Evaluation

AssociationAssociation

June, 2009June, 2009    

All rights reservedAll rights reserved

Presentation prepared by (in alphabetical order) Presentation prepared by (in alphabetical order) Edita Bucinca, Ann Mavis, Laura Pejsa, Cindy Reich, Edita Bucinca, Ann Mavis, Laura Pejsa, Cindy Reich,

Denise Roseland, and Robert TornbergDenise Roseland, and Robert Tornberg  

Under the direction of Dr. Jean A. King, University of MinnesotaUnder the direction of Dr. Jean A. King, University of Minnesota