Assignment: The Evaluation Process
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.
Post your 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.