30 Jul In this Discussion, you review a process evaluation research study and look closely at its timing within the implementation phase, considering whether a different timing would have led to different information
PROCESS EVALUATION PURPOSE AND TIMING
Wk9
The steps for process evaluation are very similar to those for other types of evaluation; in fact, the purpose and timing of a process evaluation are the elements that most distinguish it. A process evaluation is conducted during the implementation phase of the program to evaluate whether it is being implemented as intended and how delivery can be improved. A process evaluation can also be useful in supporting an outcome evaluation by helping to determine the reason behind program outcomes.
In this Discussion, you review a process evaluation research study and look closely at its timing within the implementation phase, considering whether a different timing would have led to different information.
TO PREPARE
• Review the text chapter and informational websites about process evaluation in the Learning Resources.
• Review the research articles focusing on process evaluation in the Learning Resources. Select one that produced valuable information and that you would like to analyze for this Discussion.
BY DAY 3
• Identify the process evaluation article that you chose and explain why you selected this example.
• Describe the purpose of the evaluation, the informants, the questions asked, and the results of the evaluation.
• Identify the stage of program implementation in which the evaluation was conducted.
• Consider why the researchers chose to evaluate at that stage of program implementation. What kind of information would they have received if they had conducted the evaluation earlier or later?
• If you were to replicate the study, would you adjust it in any way for more optimal results?
References
• Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
o Chapter 8, “Improving How Programs and Practice Work”
Read “Implement the Intervention as Proposed” (pp. 175–179).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Types of evaluationLinks to an external site.. https://www.cdc.gov/std/program/pupestd/types%20of%20evaluation.pdf
• TSNE. (2018, June 14). Process evaluation vs. outcome evaluationLinks to an external site.. https://www.tsne.org/blog/process-evaluation-vs-outcome-evaluation
Process Evaluation Studies
• Lachman, J. M., Kelly, J., Cluver, L., Ward, C. L., Hutchings, J., & Gardner, F. (2018). Process evaluation of a parenting program for low-income families in South AfricaLinks to an external site.. Research on Social Work Practice, 28(2), 188–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731516645665
• Vil, C. S., & Angel, A. (2018). A study of a cross-age peer mentoring program on educationally disconnected young adultsLinks to an external site.. Social Work, 63(4), 327–336. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swy033
