What Is Evaluation?
Evaluation can be broadly defined as a systematic examination of programs, personnel, products, materials, or policies to determine their merit, worth, or value (Lapan, 2004; Scriven, 1991). Legislative bodies, foundations, and other funding agencies are increasingly demanding information on how their funds are used and what results can be attributed to those expenditures. Specifically, in this chapter I will be emphasizing evaluations of programs; a program is a planned set of expectations, procedures, and activities to produce specific outcomes or results. Examples of programs include drug treatment interventions, natural disaster relief efforts, adult literacy outreach, or get-out-the-vote campaigns.
In the current economic ...
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