Is this program achieving its goals within the cost estimates?

Evidence-based practice utilizes a variety of research methods to gather evidence as to the efficacy of a program’s effectiveness, or cost effectiveness.  According to your text, “Sound research and its applications, although not guarantees of perfect policies and programs, are extremely useful tools in developing sound social policies and programs” (p. 281).  Additionally, we read that evaluation research is different from “basic” research in that evaluation research is based on reality factors in the field and can answer the question: Is this program achieving its goals within the cost estimates?  In this written assignment you will create an example of a program description, identify the parts, and how one would carry out a program evaluation.  Identify the steps and what the program evaluator would want to measure / evaluate.  Because you have not carried out an actual program evaluation, you will be doing a hypothetical evaluation. Your “fictional” program evaluation deals with the design, not the actual evaluation, which would include gathering data and so forth.  An example of a program evaluation and the research format is given in the Evaluation Strategies for Human Service Programs.  Your example can be of any of the typical health and services areas including: hospitals, nursing homes, clinic for substance abuse, counseling clinics, Salvation Army, Red Cross, homes for the homeless, special school programs, crisis centers and social support.  Program evaluation can include a variety of different research approaches and could acquire a great deal of data. As you view the PowerPoint presentation keep in mind the information requirements to carry out a program evaluation.  Certainly the connections among program outcomes, the activities of the program, and consequential outcomes constitute the key model of any program evaluation.  Access the Program Evaluation 101: A Workshop view the detailed PowerPoint.  Your paper should be at least two to three pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and include a minimum of 3 APA citations from scholarly sources.

 

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.