PAD 101 Assignment #8 PDF

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1 Running Head: PROGRAM EVALUATION

Program Evaluation Ayesha Khatri John Jay College of Criminal Justice

2 PROGRAM EVALUATION

Program Evaluation Program Evaluation comprises of a scientific approach of understanding and examining the nature of a program. Through this systematic design, multiple policy makers, individual clients and the general population who receive the services from the program, are questioned and observed to improve the structure of the program. Program Evaluation utilizes a social science research approach to analyze the structure and value of a program. This research involves collecting empirical data which primarily entails observable data. There are many techniques of collecting empirical data (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 351). Surveys, interviews, focus groups that uncover more important information, observations, experiments and getting access to existing data, all are considerable ways to collect empirical data for program evaluation (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 351). Policy makers and stakeholders who are interested in the performance of a program play a crucial role in developing and shaping the program evaluation (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 359). Policymakers, program sponsors, evaluation sponsors, programs managers and practitioners, program targets, and related stakeholders are all different forms of stakeholders that contribute to the program evaluation process (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 359). It is important to understand that there are five distinct types of program evaluations which consist of Needs Assessment, Assessment of Program Theory, Assessment of Program Process, Program Impact Assessment, and Program Efficiency Assessment (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 364). These designs of theory interpret the way a program functions by analyzing its problems and understanding advantages and disadvantages of certain strategies. A logic model is a conceptual representation of a program which consists of information such as the program’s

3 PROGRAM EVALUATION resources or inputs, the activities or services, outputs or a measurable amount of services, outcomes or consequences of the program (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 374). Program evaluation which focuses on individual client involves ethical concerns as well. Informed consent becomes increasingly important in this area because it involves human subjects which need to be debriefed about the process of the experimentation in order avoid harm and deception (Holzer & Schwester, 2016, p. 385). Program evaluation is a key component of public administration because it consists of programs and theories that examine the structure and performance of a program. These programs serve the citizens which is why these individuals are questioned and empirically understood before taking further steps in analyzing and forming a program.

4 PROGRAM EVALUATION References Holzer, M., & Schwester, R.W. (2016). Public administration: An introduction (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge....