The Runaway and Homeless Youth Project

The following link is not a traditional program evaluation. This link provides the plan for a program for runaway youth. In the plan, it includes ideas about program evaluation. In addition, you will find some of the specific points that should be included in a logic model. I thought it would be a good idea for you guys to see the actual planning of a program that is going to need to be evaluated. Take a look at the link and tell me, with a critical eye, what you think.

Cost Benefit Analysis of Substance Abuse Treatment

The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Analysis published an article in 1998 entitled, "Cost Benefits of Substance Abuse Treatment: An Overview of Results from Alcohol and Drug Abuse. This study is a review of results from several studies which examines the cost benefits that were experienced, or not experienced, in health care settings after the inclusion of substance abuse treatment services. Review the article, and critically comment on the results, the method of evaluation, and the author's comments on both.

Presidential Debate Number 3 . . . Better Late Than Never

Some of you are involved in a Social Work policy class that is requiring you to watch the third presidential debate. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate that activity into our evaluation research class. What I want you to do is to evaluate the process of the debate. Start with the moderator and how they say the questions are developed . . . how did the moderator address each candidate . . . did the moderator, in fact, moderate or control the debate. Did the candidates respond respectfully or talk over each other. I want you to evaluate the process of what you watched, and perhaps suggest ways you would improve upon the process . . . what would you take out . . . what would you add . . .

P.S. Try not to talk about your own personal politics here, just focus on the process of the debate.

Hooray, they re-enabled the coding!

Evaluation of an Eating Disorder Program

The masses have been clamoring for a program evaluation of an eating disorder prevention program targeted at junior high school students. A couple of different issues here . . . how do you think the program measures up and, ethically, what do you think about this type of program targeted at junior high school students. Should make for plenty of good discussion. Click the link to read the article.

Evaluation of an Eating Disorder Prevention Program

NARCONON Drug Abuse Prevention Program Evaluation

NARCONON is a secular program based on the teachings and writings of L. Ron Hubbard. This program provides drug rehabilitation, eduation, and prevention services. The program provides a curriculum that is meant to be utilized in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and is designed to supplement the school's core health and drug prevention curriculum. The link below presents a program evaluation of the NARCONON program. Let me know what you think.

Program Evaluation of NARCONON

Advantages of Qualitative Interviewing in Program Evaluation

The majority of program evaluations utilize a quantitative research method. When reading both outcome and process evaluations, one most often encounters the use of some kind of a survey to elicit changes that have occurred. However, there is another method that can be used to elicit information during program evaluations. Qualitative interviews can be useful in eliciting more detail when investigating both processes and outcomes. These types of interviews can be used by themselves or in conjunction with, otherwise refered to as mixed methods, quantitatively based measures. Click the link below to read a general article about the use of qualitative interviews in program evaluation.

Qualitative Interviews in Program Evaluation

Silly, Silly Laws

Yet another little diversion from a point that was mentioned in class. Susan mentioned a law that was around when she lived in Tennessee that prohibited more that three unrelated females to live in the same dwelling - thus preventing brothels and, as it turns out, sororities . . . Click the links to check out the silly, silly laws.

Silly Law Site One
Silly Law Site Two