week 9 2

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.

• 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?

Week 9: Learning Resources

Learning Resources

Required Readings

• Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do  (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  
  • 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 evaluation. https://prevention-collaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CDC_2017_Types-of-Evaluation.pdf
• TSNE. (2018, June 14). Process evaluation vs. outcome evaluation . 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 Africa. 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 adults. Social Work , 63 (4), 327–336. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swy033