Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement An Introduction to Practice

Name: Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement An Introduction to Practice
Price: 5.69 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781412906685

ISBN-10: 1412906687

ISBN-13: 9781412906685

Edition: 2006

Authors: James C. McDavid, Laura R. L. Hawthorn, Laura R. L. Ingleson

List price: $98.00

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Description:

Thisnbsp; comprehensive textbook, for both students and practitioners, integrates performance measurement into evaluation practice and shows how the skills that are essential for building program evaluation expertise are also important foundations for performance measurement. The importance of sound professional judgment is highlighted throughout the book and the final chapter offers ways that evaluation professionals can develop their professional judgment. Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement discusses the realities of organizational politics and incentives for managers and evaluators. It balances the importance of good evaluation methods with the resource and organizational…

Book details

List price: $98.00
Copyright year: 2006
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
Publication date: 8/19/2005
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 496
Size: 7.25" wide x 8.75" long x 0.75" tall
Weight: 1.804
Language: English

James C. McDavid (PhD, Indiana, 1975) is a professor of Public Administration at the University of Victoria . He is a specialist in program evaluation, performance measurement, and the production of local government services. He has conducted extensive research and evaluations focusing on federal, state, provincial, and local governments in the United States and Canada . His published research articles include comparisons of the efficiency of local government service production across Canada , which has become a benchmark for comparison of alternative production arrangements for local government services. He is currently a member of the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Program…

Laura R. L. Hawthorn (MA, Queen's University, MPA, University of Victoria ) is currently the Manager of Assessment Policy for the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia .




Key Concepts And Issues In Program Evaluation And Performance Measurement


Introduction


A Typical Program Evaluation: Assessing the Neighbourhood Integrated Service


Team Program in Vancouver


What is a Program?


Key Concepts In program evaluation


Key Evaluation Questions


Formative and Summative Program Evaluations


Ex Ante and Ex Post Program Evaluations


Analyzing Cause and Effect Linkages in Program Evaluations


The Process of Conducting a Program Evaluation


Summary


Discussion Questions for Chapter 1


References for Chapter 1



Understanding And Applying Program Logic Models


Introduction


A Basic Logic Modelling Approach


Logic Models That Categorize and Specify Intended Causal Linkages


Applying the Framework for Constructing Logic Models


Flow Charts


Constructing Program Logics in Program Evaluations


Program Technologies


Program Objectives, Program Environments, and Organizational Objectives


Strengths and Limitations of Program Logics


Summary


Discussion Questions



Applying What You Have Learned in Chapter Two: Developing a Logic Model for the Compass Program


Answer Key


References for Chapter 2



Research Designs For Program Evaluations


Introduction


What is Research Design?


Why Pay Attention to Experimental Designs?


Using Experimental Designs to Evaluate Programs: The ELmira Nurse Home Visitation Program


Establishing Validity in Research Designs


Defining and Working with the Four Kinds of Validity


Testing the Causal Linkages in Program Logic Models


Research Designs and Performance Measurement


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 3



Measurement In Program Evaluation


Introduction


Measurement Procedures


Illustrating Measurement Terminology


Measurement Validity


Levels of Measurement


Units of Analysis


Sources of Data in Program Evaluations and Performance Measurement Systems


Using Surveys to Estimate the Incremental Effects of Programs


Survey Designs and Research Designs


Validity of Measures and the Validity of Causes and Effects


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 4



Applying Qualitative Evaluation Methods


Introduction


Comparing and Contrasting Different Approaches to Qualitative Evaluation


Qualitative Evaluation Methods: Some Basics


Structuring Qualitative Program Evaluations


The Credibility and Generalizability of Qualitative Findings


Connecting Qualitative Evaluation Methods to Performance Measurement


The Power of Case Studies


Summary


Discussion Questions



Assessing The Need For Programs


Introduction


What Are Needs?


Benchmarking Needs: Criteria for Establishing the Existence and Magnitude of Needs


Steps in Conducting Needs Assessments


The St. Columba Collaboration Project: Needs Assessment in a Newark Neighborhood


Summary


Discussion Questions


Appendix: Designing a Needs Assessment for a Small Non-Profit Organization


References for Chapter 6



Concepts And Issues In Economic Evaluation


Introduction


Three Types of Economic Evaluation


Economic Evaluation in the Performance Management Cycle


Historical Developments in Economic Evaluation


Cost-Effectiveness Analysis


Cost-Utility Analysis


Cost-Benefit Analysis


Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Example: A Study of Falls Prevention Among the Elderly


Strengths and Limitations of Economic Evaluation


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 7



Performance Measurement As An Approach To Evaluation


Introduction


Growth of Performance Measurement


Metaphors That Support and Sustain Performance Measurement


Comparing Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 8



Design And Implementation Of Performance Measurement Systems


Introduction


Key Steps in Designing and Implementing a Performance Measurement System


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 9



Using And Sustaining Performance Measurement Systems


Introduction


Comparing Ideal and Real Organizations: The Role of Organizational Politics in Designing and Implementing Performance Measurement Systems


Intended Uses of Performance Measurement Systems


Actual Uses of Performance Measurement


Problems and Issues in Implementing and Sustaining Performance Measurement Systems


Summary


Discussion questions


References for Chapter 10



Program Evaluation And Program Management: Joining Theory And Practice


Introduction


Can Management and Evaluation Be Joined?


Prospects for Building Cultures That Support Evaluation


Learning Organizations as Self-Evaluating Organizations


Can Program Managers Evaluate Their Own Programs?


How Should Evaluators Relate to Managers: Striving for Objectivity in Program Evaluations


Can Program Evaluators Be Objective?


Criteria for Best Practices in Program Evaluation: Assuring Stakeholders that Evaluations Are High Quality


Ethics and evaluation practice


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 11



The Nature And Practice Of Professional Judgment In Program Evaluation


Introduction


The Nature of the Evaluation Enterprise


Professionalism and Evaluation Practice


Understanding Professional Judgment


Improving Professional Judgment in Evaluation Practice


Evaluation as a Craft: Implications for Professionalizing Evaluation


Teamwork and Professional Judgment


Summary


Discussion Questions


References for Chapter 12