NCJ Number
49436
Date Published
1977
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE EVALUABILITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE, WHICH INCLUDES AN ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTS AND THE CONDUCT OF INTERVIEWS TO DEPICT A MODEL OF THE PROGRAM, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
EVALUATION COMPARES A PROGRAM OR SET OF PROGRAMS WITH REALITY. THE FIRST TASK IN EVALUATION IS ANALYSIS OF THE DECISIONMAKING SYSTEM AND CLARIFICATION OF THE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED. THE EVALUABLE MODEL INCLUDES THE PROGRAM COMPONENTS AND THE GOALS AND EFFECTS WHICH ARE MEASUREABLE, AND WHERE THE CAUSAL LINKAGES ARE PLAUSIBLE. THE SEQUENTIAL STEPS INVOLVED IN CONDUCTING EVALUABILITY ASSESSMENT ARE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY. THESE INCLUDE: (1) BOUNDING THE PROBLEM/PROGRAM -- DETERMING WHAT FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND WHAT OBJECTIVES CONSTITUTE THE PROGRAM; (2) COLLECTION OF PROGRAM INFORMATION -GATHERING INFORMATION THAT DEFINES THE PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS; (3) MODELING -- DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL THAT DESCRIBES THE PROGRAM AND THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE INTENDED USER OF THE EVALUATION INFORMATION; (4) ANALYSIS -- DETERMINING TO WHAT EXTENT THE PROGRAM DEFINITION, AS REPRESENTED BY THE MODEL, IS SUFFICIENTLY UNAMBIGUOUS THAT EVALUATION IS LIKELY TO BE USEFUL (THIS STEP ALSO INCLUDES THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL EVALUATION STUDIES); AND (5) PRESENTATION TO MANAGEMENT/INTENDED USER -REPORTING ON THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF MANAGEMENT/INTENDED USER, AND DETERMINATION OF NEXT STEPS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN. TWO FLOW CHARTS ARE PROVIDED WHICH DEPICT PROGRAM MODELS. (DAG)