Program Evaluation: A Primer for Effectiveness, Quality, and Value

This book provides students and practitioners with the tools and skills needed to evaluate social and policy programs across disciplines, producing unbiased evidence of effectiveness, quality, and value. It features international case studies, covers quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches, and is informed by new online methods developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also focuses on international standards for ethical evaluations and avoiding research misconduct.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive and timely book offers students and practitioners a valuable toolkit for evaluating social and policy programs across diverse disciplines, including public health, social work, and education. By providing a comprehensive framework for conducting rigorous evaluations, it enables the allocation of scarce human and financial resources to promote the health and well-being of individuals and populations.

The book is organized into chapters that follow a logical progression, guiding readers through the main tasks involved in conducting an effective evaluation. These tasks include selecting and justifying evaluation questions or hypotheses, designing evaluations, sampling participants, selecting information sources, and ensuring reliable and valid measurement. Each chapter includes practical examples and case studies to illustrate the application of the discussed methods.

In addition to its methodological focus, the book also emphasizes the importance of managing and analyzing data transparently and reporting the results in both written and oral formats. It incorporates international case studies to showcase real-world applications of evaluation techniques and methodologies. Moreover, the book recognizes the evolving nature of research and incorporates new online methods developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance the evaluation process.

One of the book's unique features is its emphasis on international standards for conducting ethical evaluations and avoiding research misconduct. It provides checklists, example forms, and summaries of key ideas and topics to assist readers in applying the learned concepts effectively. This practical book is an essential resource for students in the social, behavioral, and health sciences, as well as for professionals working in the field. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to evaluate programs, make evidence-based decisions, and contribute to the improvement of social and policy outcomes.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032635064