Program Evaluation
Curriculum guideline
Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
SOSC 4301
Descriptive
Program Evaluation
Department
Social Sciences
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201930
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
18
Contact hours
Classroom:
Lecture 3 hours per week
Lab 1 hour per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Field Experience
Learning activities
- Lecture
- Case Studies and Problem Based Learning
- Group Discussion
- Lab
- Service Learning
Course description
This course provides an intensive introduction to organizational, methodological and professional issues involved in evaluating programs and measuring performance in organizations. It offers a practical understanding of the alternative approaches to program evaluation including expertise and consumer oriented approaches, program oriented approaches, decision oriented approaches and participant oriented approaches. Students will be introduced to methods for planning, conducting and reporting on evaluations using both quantitative and qualitative data. As part of the course, students will participate in a service learning activity involving a program evaluation conducted by an organization.
Course content
The topics covered may include:
- Program Evaluation - Basic Purposes, Uses, and Conceptual Distinctions
- Origins and Current Trends in Modern Program Evaluation
- Political, Interpersonal, and Ethical Issues in Evaluation
- Alternative Views Of Evaluation
- Expertise and Consumer-Oriented Approaches
- Program-Oriented Evaluation Approaches
- Decision-Oriented Evaluation Approaches
- Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches
- A Comparative Analysis of Approaches
- Organizational Evaluation Competence and Capacity Building
- Clarifying the Evaluation Request and Responsibilities
- Setting Boundaries and Analyzing the Evaluation Context with Stakeholders
- Identifying and Selecting the Evaluation Questions and Criteria
- Planning How to Conduct the Evaluation
- Collecting Evaluative Information: Design, Sampling, Time and Cost Choices
- Collecting Evaluative Information: Data Sources and Methods, Analysis and Interpretation
- Reporting Evaluation Results: Maximizing Use and Understanding
- Evaluating the Program Evaluation
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the range of approaches to program evaluation.
- Identify and discuss the political, interpersonal and ethical issues of program evaluation
- Plan and design an effective program evaluation using a mixed methods approach
- Contribute effectively to a program evaluation being undertaken by an organization
- Evaluate a program evaluation and assess its probable impact on organizational practice
- Present an account of a program evaluation and its results
Means of assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will include some of the following: quizzes, multiple choice exams, shot answer type exams, term report, presentation, program evaluation proposal, research paper. The instructor will provide the students with a course outline listing the criteria for course evaluation.
An example of one evaluation scheme:
| 2 quizzes - multiple choice and short answer | 40% |
| Program evaluation proposal and plan | 20% |
| Program evaluation report | 25% |
| Presentation | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Textbook materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A textbook such as:
Fitzpatrick J.L., Sanders J.R., Worthen B.R., (2011) Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines.