Agency Based Program Evaluation

This book begins with the context of an agency-based evaluation and describes the method within that context. Students will gain a more complete understanding of this contextual challenge and will learn techniques for operating in the face of these challenges.

This text aids both students and practitioners in articulating the elements of program evaluation, deepening their understanding of the contextual issues that surround and shape an evaluation. Authors Stephen A. Kapp and Gary R. Anderson offer readers details on the application of useful and accepted evaluation methods. It also shows readers how to make sound decisions in balancing techniques and strategies with the realities of the agency environment. Key Features Ethical considerations related to collecting data from service consumers and working with agency personnel Strategies for accommodating cultural and ethnic differences when collecting program evaluation data Techniques for engaging agency personnel and key constituents in the entire evaluation process Accompanied by robust ancillaries This text is accompanied by a robust companion site which you can view here. The password-protected Instructor's Site features: Sample Syllabi PowerPoint Slides Test Bank The open-access Student Study Site offers: Quizzes Journal Articles Web Resources and Activities This text is designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in program evaluation within departments of social work, mental health, and human services. It is also a great resource for practicing professionals, supervisors, and managers.

This text provides a solid foundation in program evaluation, covering the main components of evaluating agencies and their programs, how best to address those components, and the procedures to follow when conducting evaluations. Different models and approaches are paired with practical techniques, such as how to plan an interview to collect qualitative data and how to use statistical analyses to report results. In every chapter, case studies provide real world examples of evaluations broken down into the main elements of program evaluation: the needs that led to the program, the implementation of program plans, the people connected to the program, unexpected side effects, the role of evaluators in improving programs, the results, and the factors behind the results. In addition, the story of one of the evaluators involved in each case study is presented to show the human side of evaluation. This new edition also offers enhanced and expanded case studies, making them a central organizing theme, and adds more international examples. New online resources for this edition include a table of evaluation models, examples of program evaluation reports, sample handouts for presentations to stakeholders, links to YouTube videos and additional annotated resources. All resources are available for download under the tab eResources at www.routledge.com/9781138103962.

Revised editon of Program evaluation for social workers, 2012.

This textbook balances methodological rigor with the practicalities of becoming a successful evaluator in service-oriented settings.

Now in its sixth edition, this popular student-friendly introduction to program evaluation provides social workers with a sound conceptual understanding of how to use basic evaluation techniques in the evaluation of their cases (case-level) and programs (program-level). Eminently approachable, straightforward, and practical, this edition includes the fundamental tools that are needed in order for social workers to fully appreciate and understand how case- and program-level evaluations will help them to increase their effectiveness as contemporary data-driven practitioners.

An updated guide to the core concepts of program evaluation This updated edition of Program Evaluation in Practice covers the core concepts of program evaluation and uses case studies to touch on real-world issues that arise when conducting an evaluation project. This important resource is filled with illustrative examples written in accessible terms and provides a wide variety of evaluation projects that can be used for discussion, analysis, and reflection. The book addresses foundations and theories of evaluation, tools and methods for collecting data, writing of reports, and the sharing of findings. The discussion questions and class activities at the end of each chapter are designed to help process the information in that chapter and to integrate the information from the other chapters, thus facilitating the learning process. As useful for students as it is for evaluators in training, Program Evaluation in Practice is a must-have text for those aspiring to be effective evaluators. Includes expanded discussion of basic theories and approaches to program evaluation Features a new chapter on objective-based evaluation and a new section on ethics in program evaluation Provides more detailed information and in-depth description for each case, including evaluation approaches, fresh references, new readings, and the new Joint Committee Standards for Evaluation

In an era of rapidly shrinking resources, efficient utilization of public resources is of paramount importance. Health care, social services, education, law enforcement, and other fields have established their own standards against which program operations are assessed. National accrediting bodies have implemented systems of rigorous peer review to ensure the quality of program processes and outcomes. Nongovernmental organizations must demonstrate success in achieving their stated goals in order to sustain or expand program funding. In the 21st century, process (how programs are organized and how work is conducted) has become as important as outcomes in determining program effectiveness. Responding to these dynamic challenges, the authors utilize concrete case studies to immerse students in the techniques of program evaluation. They effectively examine systems theory, project planning, queuing theory, cost-benefit analysis, and organization processes (including standards-based program accreditation), providing practical examples in an easy-to-comprehend style. In addition, comprehensive discussions explain how process intervention is utilized to achieve program adaptations and strategic change. Like its highly regarded predecessors, the latest edition features evaluation exercises designed to facilitate student development of indicators and measures when dealing with real-world programs. An Instructors Manual provides solutions to the case studies in the appendix of the text, further clarifying the program planning and evaluation process.