Homework: Drafting a Process Evaluation
The steps for process evaluation outlined by Bliss and Emshoff (2002) may seem very similar to those for conducting other types of evaluation that you have learned about in this course; in fact, it is the purpose and timing of a process evaluation that most distinguish it from other types of evaluation. A process evaluation is conducted during the implementation of the program to evaluate whether the program has been implemented as intended and how the delivery of a program can be improved. A process evaluation can also be useful in supporting an outcome evaluation by helping to determine the reason behind program outcomes.
There are several reasons for conducting process evaluation throughout the implementation of a program. Chief among them is to compare the program that is being delivered to the original program plan, in order to identify gaps and make improvements. Therefore, documentation from the planning stage may prove useful when planning a process evaluation.
For this Homework, you either build on the work that you completed to a support group for caregivers, or on your knowledge about a program with which you are familiar. Review the resource "Workbook for Designing a Process Evaluation".
Submit a 4 to 5 pages plan for a process evaluation. Include the following minimal information:
o A description of the key program elements
o A description of the strategies that the program uses to produce change
o A description of the needs of the target population
o An explanation of why a process evaluation is important for the program
o A plan for building relationships with the staff and management
o Broad questions to be answered by the process evaluation
o Specific questions to be answered by the process evaluation
o A plan for gathering and analyzing the information
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Required Readings
• Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
o Chapter 8, "Improving How Programs and Practice Work" (pp. 167-207)
• Becker, L. A. (1999). Statistical and clinical significance.
• Man-Son-Hing, M., Laupacis, A., O'Rourke, K., Molnar, F. J., Mahon, J., Chan, K. B., & Wells, G. (2002). Determination of the clinical importance of study results. Journal of general internal medicine, 17(6), 469-476.
• Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Read the following section:
"Social Work Research: Qualitative Groups" (pp. 68-69)
• Document: Bliss, M. J., & Emshoff, J. G. (2002). Workbook for designing a process evaluation.
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health.