Assignment:
The CDC notes how program evaluation can be used to plan effective health interventions, improve existing programs, and demonstrate "the results of resource investments," (CDC, 2001). In order to know what is working, it is essential to conduct an evaluation of a program, recognizing that different forms of evaluation provide different information. The readings this week discuss formative, process, and outcome evaluation and what each of these addresses. Each form of evaluation provides stakeholders and researchers with different information and are conducted at varying times throughout a program's planning and implementation.
Response to the following:
• Compare and contrast formative evaluation, process evaluation, and outcome evaluation in public health research and when each type of evaluation is most appropriate.
• Describe how the results of an evaluation influence decision making in public health.
Reference
Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention. (1999, September 17). Framework for program evaluation in public health. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 48(RR11), 1-40. Retrieved January 8, 2009, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4811a1.htm
Media
• Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Research in public health: Program evaluation. Baltimore: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
In this program, Dr. Leiyu Shi, Dr. Peter Beilenson, and Dr. Richard Crosby explore the topic of program evaluation and the importance of program evaluation within the field of public health. One of the challenges faced by public health practitioners is ensuring that programs are meeting the objectives that they set out to accomplish. Implementing program evaluation in a research study helps demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention.
Articles
• Tucker, J., Van Teijlingen, E., Philip, K., Shucksmith, J., & Penney, G. (2006). Health demonstration projects: Evaluating a community-based health intervention program to improve young people's sexual health. Critical Public Health, 16(3), 175-189.
Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article's Accession Number: 24904407
• This article presents program evaluation findings of a community-based health intervention program, Healthy Respect, created in Scotland with the purpose of improving teenage sexual health.
• Be sure to look at the above-mentioned CDC reference (and think about incorporating it into your posting). It's a great resource for evaluation of public health programs...