Assignment:
(1) Program Evaluation as a Key Tool in Health and Human Services
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 first assignment, you will create a fictional "how to" guide in which you will analyze the steps pertinent to effective program assessment. Specifically, you will:
- Explain the parts of the program evaluation, and how one would carry out a program evaluation.
- Explain the steps of the program evaluation and what the program evaluator would want to measure / evaluate.
Your fictional "how to" guide is intended to provide a step-by-step explanation of the components related to evaluating programs; you will not be conducting an assessment as part of the assignment. An example of a program evaluation and the research format is given in the Evaluation Strategies for Human Service Programs. Your example can be 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 may also include acquiring a great deal of data. As you read the article Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide, 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 Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide for more information for this assignment.
Your paper should be at least two pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and include a minimum of three APA citations from scholarly sources.
(2) Final Paper Outline
In Week Five you will complete a Final Paper that will focus on evaluating research studies and reports to analyze a specific topic within a Health and Human Services research area. Review the instructions for your Final Paper in Week Five of the course or in the "Components of Course Evaluation" section of this guide.
You will submit a description of your topic area and an outline for your Final Paper. To begin, select a topic area from the Health and Human Services field. Your topic should correspond to actual research studies that have been performed. You may find it easier to locate peer-reviewed sources as you select your topic area, to ensure that there is research available in the area you choose. Examples of possible topic areas include:
- Program effectiveness of community-based mental health treatment facilities.
- Perceptions of ethical competence among human service professionals working in long- term care.
- Treatment intervention outcomes for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Characteristics of successful job placement programs for special needs adults.
- Trends in health care legislation and impacts on health and human service delivery.
In the first part of your assignment, describe your selected topic area, including the problem or background issues that you would like to address in your Final Paper. To do this, you will need to visit the Ashford University Library and locate at least eight peer-reviewed sources that pertain to your selected topic area. Your sources must present actual research studies that correspond to the problem or background of your selected topic area.
Summarize the components, attributes, and/or various segments of the topic area you have selected.
For example:
- What is the research problem or issue?
- Who or what is affected by this problem or issue?
- What are some specific examples of research studies, evaluations, reports, literature reviews, etc. that address it?
- What are the findings of these sources, and what are their implications on the health and human services field?
Then, create a detailed outline of your Final Paper. Your outline should include at least headings and sub-headings, with at least a one- to two-sentence description for each. Indicate within each section which of your sources will apply to that section.
The Final Paper Outline should be two pages total (excluding title and reference pages) in APA format. One page will be the topic area description and summary and one to two pages will be the outline. Utilize a minimum of eight peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last 10 years and that are cited according to APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. For assistance with formatting outlines, visit the Ashford Writing Center and the Ashford University Library.
Required Text
Monette, D., Sullivan, T. & DeJong, C. (2017). Applied social research (9th ed.).
· This text is a ConstellationTM course digital materials (CDM) title.
Required Resources
Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide
Harrell, A., Burt, M., Hatry, H., Rossman, S., Roth, J., & Sabol, W. (n.d.). Evaluation Strategies for Human Services Programs
Johnson, T. (2013, June 29). Introduction to statistics, variables, scares of measurement
ExcellsFun. (2011, June 22). Excel 2010 statistics 14: Descriptive & inferential statistics
The Office of Research Integrity (n.d.). Basic research concepts
The Office of Research Integrity
Partners Human Research Committee
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Institutional Review FAQ