Evaluating Social Work Services and Programs
Published on 2. December 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-205-41501-4 (ISBN)
Description
Program Evaluation uses a practical, reader-friendly approach to de-mystify evaluation research, clarifying evaluation's relationship to social work practice and providing the knowledge necessary to conduct it.
This book assumes some familiarity with traditional research methods and basic statistics or are currently studying them. It contains all necessary definitions and brief explanations of essential research terminology and concepts. However, it relates them directly to their usage in evaluation research, which is often quite diffent from the way they are used in traditional research. Well organized with excellent flow from chapter to chapter, Program Evaluation does not read like a research methods book, making it the most accessible book on evaluation research available.
This book assumes some familiarity with traditional research methods and basic statistics or are currently studying them. It contains all necessary definitions and brief explanations of essential research terminology and concepts. However, it relates them directly to their usage in evaluation research, which is often quite diffent from the way they are used in traditional research. Well organized with excellent flow from chapter to chapter, Program Evaluation does not read like a research methods book, making it the most accessible book on evaluation research available.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 178 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-41501-4 (9780205415014)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Each chapter concludes with "Concluding Thoughts," "Key Terms," "Study Questions," and "References."
Preface.
1. What Is Evaluation Research?
Defining Evaluation Research.
Research Terminology for Evaluation Research.
Some Additional Clarification.
2. The History of Evaluation Research.
Before Evaluation Research.
Forces for Change.
Evaluation Research Today.
3. Traditional Methods for Monitoring and Improving Social Work Practice.
Methods to Improve the Quality of Individual Services.
Methods to Improve the Quality of Programs.
Traditional Methods in Perspective.
4. An Overview of Single System Research.
The "Basics" of Single System Research.
Measurement Tasks and Issues.
Recording and Graphing Data.
The Sequence of Events.
Lingering Ethical Questions.
Current Status of Single System Research.
5. Single System Designs and Data Analysis.
Research Designs.
Analysis of Single System Data.
Internal Validity and Single System Research.
Reports of Single System Studies.
6. Today's Program Evaluations: Some Common Issues.
Why Are Program Evaluations Sometimes Requested?
Reasons Why Evaluations Are Sometimes Requested: Other Ethical Issues.
Program Components and Their Meanings.
Sources of Knowledge for Program Evaluations.
7. Needs Assessments.
Needs Assessments for Proposed Programs.
Needs Assessments of Existing Programs.
8. Evaluations to Improve Programs.
Completing Unfinished Business.
Program Monitoring.
Formative Evaluations.
Process Evaluations.
9. Outcome Evaluations: An Overview.
General Characteristics of Outcome Evaluations.
Evaluation Foci.
Use of "the Logic Model."
What Makes a Good Outcome Evaluation?
Ethical Problems and Issues.
Outcome Evaluation Reports.
10. Pre-Experimental Outcome Evaluations.
Research Designs in Outcome Evaluations.
Design Nomenclature.
Getting Needed Answers.
Obstacles to Use of Explanatory Designs.
Characteristics of Pre-Experimental Outcome Evaluations.
11. Explanatory Outcome Evaluations.
Internal Validity and Outcome Evaluations.
Statistical Analysis and Outcome Evaluations.
Quasi-Experimental Designs.
Experimental Designs.
Completing the Picture.
Postscript.
Index.
Preface.
1. What Is Evaluation Research?
Defining Evaluation Research.
Research Terminology for Evaluation Research.
Some Additional Clarification.
2. The History of Evaluation Research.
Before Evaluation Research.
Forces for Change.
Evaluation Research Today.
3. Traditional Methods for Monitoring and Improving Social Work Practice.
Methods to Improve the Quality of Individual Services.
Methods to Improve the Quality of Programs.
Traditional Methods in Perspective.
4. An Overview of Single System Research.
The "Basics" of Single System Research.
Measurement Tasks and Issues.
Recording and Graphing Data.
The Sequence of Events.
Lingering Ethical Questions.
Current Status of Single System Research.
5. Single System Designs and Data Analysis.
Research Designs.
Analysis of Single System Data.
Internal Validity and Single System Research.
Reports of Single System Studies.
6. Today's Program Evaluations: Some Common Issues.
Why Are Program Evaluations Sometimes Requested?
Reasons Why Evaluations Are Sometimes Requested: Other Ethical Issues.
Program Components and Their Meanings.
Sources of Knowledge for Program Evaluations.
7. Needs Assessments.
Needs Assessments for Proposed Programs.
Needs Assessments of Existing Programs.
8. Evaluations to Improve Programs.
Completing Unfinished Business.
Program Monitoring.
Formative Evaluations.
Process Evaluations.
9. Outcome Evaluations: An Overview.
General Characteristics of Outcome Evaluations.
Evaluation Foci.
Use of "the Logic Model."
What Makes a Good Outcome Evaluation?
Ethical Problems and Issues.
Outcome Evaluation Reports.
10. Pre-Experimental Outcome Evaluations.
Research Designs in Outcome Evaluations.
Design Nomenclature.
Getting Needed Answers.
Obstacles to Use of Explanatory Designs.
Characteristics of Pre-Experimental Outcome Evaluations.
11. Explanatory Outcome Evaluations.
Internal Validity and Outcome Evaluations.
Statistical Analysis and Outcome Evaluations.
Quasi-Experimental Designs.
Experimental Designs.
Completing the Picture.
Postscript.
Index.