Section outline

  • Lecture: Evaluability and Program Theory: Developing good evaluation questions, considering causality and using frameworks to guide planning and evaluation

    •    Describe the relationship between program planning and program evaluation
    •    Explain why robust evaluation requires identification of a program’s theory or logic.
    •    Attribute outcomes to the program/understand the role of causality in rigorous evaluation.
    •    Understand the utility of frameworks and models in guiding planning and evaluation.
    Faculty:  Janet Myers

    Location:  Mission Hall 2107

    • Session Slides:

    • Required Reading:

      Fink Chapter 2, p. 39-57 and Chapter 3, p. 91-93

    • Lucas RM, McMichael AJ. (2005). Association or causation: evaluating links between “environment and disease.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(10):792-795 File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02
    • Nilsen P. Making sense of theories models and frameworks. http://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-015-0242-0 File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02
    • Rothman KJ, Greenland S (2005). "Causation and causal inference in epidemiology". Am J Public Health. 95 (Suppl 1) File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02

    • Assignment:

      Program logic or theory: What accounts for your program’s evaluability?  What theory or logic underlies the program/strategy?  How does it specifically link the goals and objectives of the program to its desired outcomes?  How would you think about testing whether this theory or logic is correct? (1 page)

    • Assignment Due Date:  Homework due ______