Week 10: Outcomes Evaluation
Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations with Very Limited Resources
Basic Guide to Program Evaluation (Including Many Additional Resources)
USE one of these two OPTIONAL RESOURCES PLEASE:
Nash, J., & Flynn, R. J. (2009). Foster-parent training and foster-child outcomes: An exploratory cross-sectional analysis. Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies, 4(2), 128–134.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Rork, K. E., & McNeil. C. B. (2011). Evaluation of foster parent training programs: A critical review. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 33(2), 139–170.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This week, you focus on extending the logic model to include criteria for measuring the outcomes that you identified in your Week 7 logic model.
In the Discussion, you evaluate which group research design is appropriate for a case study. You also generate criteria for an outcome evaluation of that program. In the Assignment, you generate a plan for an outcome evaluation of a hypothetical program.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Evaluate group research design methods
Generate criteria for an outcome evaluation
Evaluate outcome evaluation criteria
Generate an outcome evaluation plan
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.) Oxford University Press.
Chapters 9, “Is the Intervention Effective?” (pp. 215–249)
Chapter 10, “Analyzing Evaluation Data” (pp. 255–275)
McNamara, C. (2006a). Contents of an evaluation plan. In Basic guide to program evaluation (including outcomes evaluation). Retrieved from
McNamara, C. (2006b). Reasons for priority on implementing outcomes-based evaluation.In Basic guide to outcomes-based evaluation for nonprofit organizations with very limited resources. Retrieved from
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: Planning a Program Evaluation”
Optional Resources
Nash, J., & Flynn, R. J. (2009). Foster-parent training and foster-child outcomes: An exploratory cross-sectional analysis. Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies, 4(2), 128–134.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Rork, K. E., & McNeil. C. B. (2011). Evaluation of foster parent training programs: A critical review. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 33(2), 139–170.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Discussion:
Use of Group Designs in Program Evaluation
Group programs are common in social work. Just as with other types of programs, social workers must understand the options available to them and know how to select the appropriate research design.
For this Discussion, you evaluate group research design methods that can be used for an outcome evaluation of a foster parent training program. You also generate criteria to be measured in the program.
To prepare for this Discussion, review the “Social Work Research: Planning a Program Evaluation” case study in this week’s resources, Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Retrieved from , and the section of “Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations with Very Limited Resources”, titled “Overview of Methods to Collect Information.”
By Day 3
Post your explanation of which group research design and data collection method from those outlined in the Resources you selected as appropriate for the “Social Work Research: “Planning a Program Evaluation” case study and why.
Then, generate criteria to be measured using the research design by identifying a specific outcome and a method for measuring that outcome. Specify who will collect the data and how the data will be collected.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two colleagues from the perspective of an interested stakeholder for the program by doing the following:
Provide a brief descriiption of the role that you are taking.
Provide an evaluation of the group research design that they have chosen, and criteria that your colleagues have generated (choice of outcome and method of evaluation) from the perspective of the stakeholder whom you have chosen.
Provide support based on your evaluation
Ask questions about the plan for research design and the questions that the evaluation plan will address from your chosen perspective.
