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Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
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Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
An Introduction to Practice

Third Edition
October 2018 | 568 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement offers a conceptual and practical introduction to program evaluation and performance measurement for public and non-profit organizations. The authors cover the performance management cycle in organizations, which includes: strategic planning and resource allocation; program and policy design; implementation and management; and the assessment and reporting of results.

The Third Edition has been revised to highlight the current economic, political, and socio-demographic context within which evaluators are expected to work, and includes dynamic public policy exemplars such as the evaluation of body-worn police cameras.  

“Finally, a text that successfully brings together quantitative and qualitative methods for program evaluation.”  
  
–Kerry Freedman, Northern Illinois University

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Chapter 1: Key Concepts and Issues in Program Evaluation and Performance Management
Introduction

 
Policies and Programs

 
Key Concepts in Program Evaluation

 
Example: Evaluating a Police Body-Worn Camera Program in Rialto, California

 
Ten Key Evaluation Questions

 
The Steps in Conducting a Program Evaluation

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 2: Understanding and Applying Program Logic Models
A Basic Logic Modeling Approach

 
Working with Uncertainty

 
Program Objectives, and Program Alignment with Government Goals

 
Program Theories and Program Logics

 
Logic Models that Categorize and Specify Intended Causal Linkages

 
Constructing a Logic Model for Program Evaluation

 
Logic Models for Performance Measurement

 
Strengths and Limitations of Logic Models

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
Appendices

 
References

 
 
Chapter 3: Research Designs for Program Evaluations
Introduction

 
Our Stance

 
What is Research Design?

 
Why Pay Attention to Experimental Design?

 
Using Experimental Designs to Evaluate Programs

 
Defining and Working with the Four Basic Kinds of Threats to Validity

 
Quasi-Experimental Designs: Navigating Threats to Internal Validity

 
Non-Experimental Deisgns

 
Testing the Causal Linkages in Program Logic Models

 
Research Designs and Performance Measurement

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
Appendices

 
References

 
 
Chapter 4: Measurement for Program Evaluation and Performance Monitoring
Introduction

 
Introducing Reliability and Validity of Measures

 
Units of Analysis and Levels of Measurement

 
Sources of Data in Program Evaluations and Performance Measurement Systems

 
Using Surveys to Estimate the Incremental Effects of Programs

 
Survey Designs Are Not Research Designs

 
Validity of Measures, and the Validity of Causes and Effects

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 5: Applying Quantitative Evaluation Methods
Introduction

 
Comparing and Contrasting Different Approaches to Qualitative Evaluations

 
Qualitative Evaluations Designs: Some Basics

 
Designing and Conducting Qualitative Program Evaluations

 
Assessing the Credibility and Generalizability of Qualitative Findings

 
Connecting the Qualitative Evaluation Methods to Performance Measurement

 
The Power of Case Studies

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6: Needs Assessments for Program Development and Adjustment
Introduction

 
Steps in Conducting Needs Assessments

 
Needs Assessment Example: Community Health Needs Assessment in New Brunswick

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
Appendices

 
References

 
 
Chapter 7: 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-Benefit Analysis

 
Cost-Efective Analysis

 
Cost-Utility Analysis

 
Cost-Benefit Analysis Example: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Program

 
Strengths and Limitations of Economic Evaluation

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 8: Performance Measurement as an Approach to Evaluation
Introduction

 
The Current Imperative to Measure Performance

 
Performance Measurement for Accountability and Performance Improvement

 
Growth and Evolution of Performance Measurement

 
Metaphors that Support and Sustain Performance Measurement

 
Comparing Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement Systems

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 9: Design and Implementation of Performance Measurement Systems
Introduction

 
The Technical/Rational View and the Political/Cultural View

 
Key Steps in Designing and Implementing A Performance Measurement System

 
Performance Measurement for Public Accountability

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
Appendix A: Organizational Logic Models

 
References

 
 
Chapter 10: Using Performance Measurement for Accountability and Performance Improvement
Introduction

 
Using Performance Measures

 
Rebalancing Accountability-Focused Performance Measurement Systems to Increase Performance Improvement Uses

 
When Performance Measurement Systems De-Emphasize Outputs and Outcomes: Performance Management Under Conditions of Chronic Fiscal Restraint

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 11: Program Evaluation and Program Management: Joining Theory and Practice
Introduction

 
Internal Evaluation: Views from the Field

 
Building an Evaluative Culture in Organizations: An Expanded Role for Evaluators

 
Striving for Objectivity in Program Evaluations

 
Criteria for High-Quality Evaluations

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 12: The Nature and Practice of Professional Judgement in Program Evaluation
Introduction

 
The Nature of the Evaluation Enterprise

 
Ethical Foundations of Evaluation Practice

 
Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation Practice

 
Understanding Professional Judgement

 
Improving Professional Judgement in Evaluation

 
The Prospects for an Evaluation Profession

 
Summary

 
Discussion Questions

 
Appendix

 
References

 
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • A current exemplar on evaluations of police body-worn camera programs is woven throughout the text to provide readers with a multi-faceted (theoretical, methodological, contextual) examination of this body of evaluation studies.

  • Ethics are presented as a critical component of being a competent evaluator, which the authors link to developing professional judgement skills.

  • New research that shows how to develop and implement balanced performance measurement systems wherein performance information is used internally to foster opportunities to learn (and improve performance).

  • Reorganized chapters improve their flow, simplify the language, and include more examples, updated discussion questions, and current references.



KEY FEATURES:

  • Dual coverage demonstrates how program evaluation and performance measurement are complementary ways of supporting evidence-based management and decision making.
  • A focus on qualitative and quantitative program evaluations and needs assessments, as well as constructing and implementing performance measurement systems, offers a balanced perspective.
  • Reader-friendly checklists underscore key points.

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