A practical introduction to participatory program evaluationEvaluating Public and Community Health Programs provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of evaluation, with a participatory model that brings stakeholders together for the good of the program. Linking community assessment, program implementation, and program evaluation, this book emphasizes practical, ongoing evaluation strategies that connect theory with application. This updated second edition includes new discussion on planning policy change programs using logic models and theory of change, plus expanded coverage of processes, outcomes, data collection, and more. Each chapter includes classroom activities and group discussion prompts, and the companion website provides worksheets, lecture slides, and a test bank for instructors. Mini cases help illustrate the real-world applications of the methods described, and expanded case studies allow students to dig deeper into practice and apply what they've learned.Accurate and effective evaluation is the key to a successful program. This book provides a thorough introduction to all aspects of this critical function, with a wealth of opportunities to apply new concepts.* Learn evaluation strategies that involve all program stakeholders* Link theory to practice with new mini cases and examples* Understand the uses, processes, and approaches to evaluation* Discover how ongoing evaluation increases program effectivenessPublic and community health programs are a vital part of our social infrastructure, and the more effective they are, the more people they can serve. Proper planning is important, but continued evaluation is what keeps a program on track for the long term. Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs provides clear instruction and insightful discussion on the many facets of evaluation, with a central focus on real-world service.

Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xv1 AN INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH EVALUATION 1Overview of Evaluation 3Levels of Evaluation 5Preassessment Evaluations 6The Participatory Approach to Evaluation 8The Participatory Model for Evaluation 10The Precursors to Program Evaluation 12Cultural Considerations in Evaluation 17Summary 21Discussion Questions and Activities 22Key Terms 222 THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT: AN OVERVIEW 23Theoretical Considerations 26The Ecological Model 29Data Collection 31Data Sources 42Reviewing the Scientific Literature 49The Report 50Stakeholders' Participation in Community Assessments 52Summary 53Discussion Questions and Activities 54Key Terms 543 DEVELOPING INITIATIVES: AN OVERVIEW 55The Organization's Mission 58Planning the Initiative 59Incorporate Theory 60Goals and Objectives 64The Initiative's Activities 71Use Existing Evidence-Based Programs 75The Program's Theory of Change 77The Logic Model Depicting the Theory of Change 77Criteria for Successful Initiatives 81Stakeholders' Participation in Planning and Developing Initiatives 82Summary 82Discussion Questions and Activities 83Key Terms 844 PLANNING FOR EVALUATION: PURPOSE AND PROCESSES 85The Timing of the Evaluation 86The Purpose of Evaluation 87The Contract for Evaluation 90The Evaluation Team 91Evaluation Standards 93Managing the Evaluation Process 94Factors That Influence the Evaluation Process 100Planning for Ethical Program Evaluation 103Involving Stakeholders 104Creating and Maintaining Effective Partnerships 105Summary 109Discussion Questions and Activities 110Key Terms 1105 DESIGNING THE EVALUATION: PART 1: DESCRIBING THE PROGRAM OR POLICY 111The Context of the Initiative 114The Social, Political, and Economic Environment 116The Organizational Structure and Resources 117The Initiative and Its Relationship to the Organization 118The Stage of Development of the Initiative 118Data Access and Availability 119The Program Initiative 119The Policy Initiatives 125Summary 131Discussion Questions and Activities 132Key Terms 1326 DESIGNING THE EVALUATION: PART 2A: PROCESS EVALUATION 133Purposes of Process Evaluation 135Key Issues in Process Evaluation 137Selecting Questions for Process Evaluation 146Resources for Evaluation 152Measuring Resources, Processes, and Outputs 153Tools for Process Evaluation 155Ethical and Cultural Considerations 157Summary 168Discussion Questions and Activities 169Key Terms 1697 DESIGNING THE EVALUATION: PART 2B: OUTCOME EVALUATION 171The Relationship Between Process and Outcome Evaluation 172Sorting and Selecting Evaluation Questions 176Summary 191Discussion Questions and Activities 192Key Terms 1928 COLLECTING THE DATA: QUANTITATIVE 193Quantitative Data 194Factors Influencing Data Collection 195Using Surveys 200Designing Survey Instruments 206Pilot Testing 209Triangulation 210Institutional Review and Ethics Boards 211The Data Collection Team 212Managing and Storing Data 213Stakeholder Involvement 213Summary 214Discussion Questions and Activities 215Key Terms 2159 COLLECTING THE DATA: QUALITATIVE 217Qualitative Data 218Ensuring Validity and Reliability 219Interview-Format Approaches 221Document and Record Review 231Observational Approaches 233Case Reviews 235Digital Approaches 236Geographic Information Systems 237Training Data Collectors 238Managing and Storing Qualitative Data 239Stakeholder Involvement 239The Data Collection Team 240Summary 241Discussion Questions and Activities 242Key Terms 24210 ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA: QUANTITATIVE (PART 1) 243Analyzing and Reporting Quantitative Data 244Reaching Conclusions 249Stakeholder Involvement 250Summary 257Discussion Questions and Activities 257QUALITATIVE (PART 2) 258Analyzing Qualitative Data 258Interpreting the Data and Reaching Conclusions 264The Role of Stakeholders 267Summary 268Discussion Questions and Activities 269Key Terms 26911 REPORTING EVALUATION FINDINGS 271The Content of the Report 274The Audience for the Report 280The Timing of the Report 281The Format of the Report 282Summary 286Discussion Questions and Activities 287Key Terms 28712 CASE STUDY: THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT 289Background 289Establish a Team 289Determine the Availability of Data 291Decide on the Data-Collection Approaches and Methods 292Training 293Resource Procurement 294Analysis and Interpretation of the Data 294Summary of Findings 294The Intervention 295Design the Evaluation 298Collect the Data 306Analyze and Interpret the Data 310Report the Results 313Discussion Questions and Activities 31513 CASE STUDY: PROCESS EVALUATION 317Background 317Theoretical Framework 318Community Assessment Findings 319The Evaluation Plan 326Answering the Evaluation Question 328Reporting the Results 338Discussion Questions and Activities 340A MODEL AGREEMENT BETWEEN EVALUATION CONSULTANT AND TEAM MEMBERS 341B MODEL PREAMBLE FOR ADULT INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS 345C MODEL DEMOGRAPHIC SHEET 347D MODEL FIELD NOTES REPORT 349E MODEL INTERVIEW REFUSAL REPORT 351F DATA COLLECTION TRAINING MANUAL TEMPLATE 353Conducting the Interview 355G GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING AN EVALUATION REPORT 363Methodology 364REFERENCES 367INDEX 373