Research methodsLesson 1 of 3 in the course Curriculum evaluation

Program Evaluation: Needs Assessment, Causal Impact, and Evaluation Design

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Program evaluation helps determine whether a project, policy, or program is doing what it intends and whether its resources are being used well. This lesson introduces the purpose, participants, and broad stages of evaluation.

Program evaluation is a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer questions about programs, projects, and policies. It is not simply a final judgment: it can inform decisions before, during, and after a program operates.

All flashcards

What is program theory?
An explanation of how a program’s activities are expected to produce outcomes.
What is a population at risk?
People with a significant probability of developing the problem a program addresses.
What is performance analysis in needs assessment?
An assessment of whether a proposed plan can address an identified need.
What does the CIPP model stand for?
Context, Input, Process, and Product.
What is self-selection bias in program evaluation?
A threat to causal conclusions when participants differ from nonparticipants before the program.

Quiz questions

  1. What is a primary purpose of a needs assessment before a program begins?Answer: To establish whether a problem exists, who experiences it, and how extensive it is.
  2. In program evaluation, who belongs to the population in demand?Answer: People in need who recognize or accept the need and are willing to use the service.
  3. In the CIPP model, what is the main focus of input evaluation?Answer: Examining strategies, resources, designs, and alternatives for meeting program goals.
  4. In the CDC evaluation cycle, what step follows gathering credible evidence?Answer: Justifying conclusions by explaining how the evidence supports them.
  5. Why can random assignment strengthen conclusions about a program’s effects?Answer: It can make participant and comparison groups more comparable, reducing self-selection bias.

Based on the Wikipedia article Program evaluation, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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