Table Of ContentPROGRAM EVALUATION SOCIAL WORKERS
FOR
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PROGRAM EVALUATION SOCIAL
FOR
WORKERS
FOUNDATIONS OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS 7TH
EDITION
Richard M. Grinnell, Jr.
Western Michigan University
Peter A. Gabor
University of Calgary
Yvonne A. Unrau
Western Michigan University
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Program evaluation for social workers : foundations of evidence-based practice / Richard M. Grinnell, Peter A. Gabor, Yvonne A. Unrau,
editors. — Second Edition.
pages cm
Revised editon of Program evaluation for social workers, 2012.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–19–022730–2
eISBN 978–0–19–022732–6
1. Human services—Evaluation. 2. Human services—Evaluation—Case studies. 3. Social work administration.
I. Grinnell, Richard M., editor. II. Gabor, Peter, (Sociologist) editor. III. Unrau, Yvonne A., editor. IV. Grinnell, Richard M.
Program evaluation for social workers.
HV40.P716 2015
361.3′2—dc23
2015008417
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Contents in Brief
Contents in Detail
Preface
Part I: Preparing for Evaluations
1. Toward Accountability
2. Approaches and Types of Evaluations
3. The Process
4. Standards
5. Ethics
6. Cultural Competence
Part II: Designing Programs
7. The Program
8. Theory of Change and Program Logic Models
Part III: Implementing Evaluations
9. Preparing for an Evaluation
10. Needs Assessments
11. Process Evaluations
12. Outcome Evaluations
13. Efficiency Evaluations
Part IV: Making Decisions with Data
14. Data Information Systems
15. Making Decisions
Part V: Evaluation Toolkit
Tool A. Hiring an External Evaluator
Tool B. Working with an External Evaluator
Tool C. Reducing Evaluation Anxiety
Tool D. Managing Evaluation Challenges
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Tool E. Using Common Evaluation Designs
Tool F. Budgeting for Evaluations
Tool G. Using Evaluation Management Strategies
Tool H. Data Collection and Sampling Procedures
Tool I. Training and Supervising Data Collectors
Tool J. Effective Communication and Reporting
Tool K. Developing an Action Plan
Tool L. Measuring Variables
Tool M. Measuring Instruments
Glossary
References
Credits
Index
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Contents in Detail
Preface
PART I: PREPARING FOR EVALUATIONS
1. Toward Accountability
The Quality Improvement Process
Case-Level Evaluations
Program-Level Evaluations
Myth
Philosophical Bias
Fear (Evaluation Phobia)
The Purpose of Evaluations
Increase Our Knowledge Base
Guide Decision-Making at All Levels
Assure That Client Objectives Are Being Met
Accountability Can Take Many Forms
Scope of Evaluations
Person-In-Environment Perspective
Example: You’re the Client
Program-In-Environment Perspective
Example: You’re the Social Worker
Research ≠ Evaluation
Data ≠ Information
Definition
Summary
2. Approaches and Types of Evaluations
The Project Approach
Characteristics of the Project Approach
The Monitoring Approach
Characteristics of the Monitoring Approach
Advantages of the Monitoring Approach
Four Types of Evaluations
Needs Assessment
Process Evaluations
Outcome Evaluations
Efficiency Evaluations
Internal and External Evaluations
Summary
3. The Process
The Process
Step 1: Engage Stakeholders
Why Stakeholders Are Important to an Evaluation
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The Role of Stakeholders in an Evaluation
STEP 2: Describe the Program
Using a Logic Model to Describe Your Program
Step 3: Focus the Evaluation
Types of Evaluations
Narrowing Down Evaluation Questions
Step 4: Gathering Credible Data
Step 5: Justifying Your Conclusions
Step 6: Ensuring Usage and Sharing Lessons Learned
Summary
4. Standards
The Four Standards
Utility
Feasibility
Propriety
Accuracy
Standards Versus Politics
When Standards Are Not Followed
Summary
5. Ethics
Code of Ethics
Step 3: Focusing the Evaluation
Step 3A: Refine Evaluation Question Through the Literature
Step 3B: Selecting an Evaluation Design
Step 3C: Specifying How Variables Are Measured
Step 4: Gathering Data
Step 4A: Selecting Evaluation Participants
Step 4B: Selecting a Data Collection Method
Step 4C: Analyzing the Data
Step 6: Ensure Usage and Share Lessons Learned
Revealing Negative Findings
Special Considerations
International Research
Computer and Internet-Based Research Guidance
Students as Subjects/Students as Researchers
Summary
6. Cultural Competence
Our Village
Working with Stakeholder Groups
Your Evaluation Team
The Impact of Culture
Bridging the Culture Gap
Cultural Awareness
Intercultural Communication
Cultural Frameworks
Orientation to Data
Decision-Making
Individualism
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