Policy and Program Evaluation

Question 1

CDC Approach to Policy Evaluation

Answer 1

Evaluation is the activity that develops an understanding of the merit, worth, and utility of a policy.

Question 2

An Evaluative Framework needs to consider:

Answer 2

Utility: Who wants the evaluation results and for what purpose?

Feasibility: Are the evaluation procedures practical, given the resources available?

Propriety: Is the evaluation being conducted in a fair and ethical way?

Accuracy: Are approaches at each step accurate?

Question 3

Policy Evaluation v. Program Evaluation Differences

Answer 3

• The level of analysis required (e.g., system or community level for policy evaluation; program level for program evaluation)
• The scale and scope of data collection may be greater with policy evaluation

Question 4

Performance Perspective (planning policy evaluation)

Answer 4

A performance perspective would consider utilization; did the plan prove useful for subsequent decision-making?

Question 5

Conformance Perspective (planning policy evaluation)

Answer 5

A conformance perspective would investigate the extent to which policies or implementation substantively align with the recommendations made by the plan.