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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.   
 
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

 

Supplements

Student Study Site

The open-access Student Study Site includes the following:

  • Access to full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter is included.

Instructor Teaching Site

Password-protected Instructor Resources include the following:

  • Editable, chapter-specific Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides offer you complete flexibility in easily creating a multimedia presentation for your course.
  • Test banks provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert your own personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.
  • Chapter activities and cases offer lively and stimulating ideas for practical application of the concepts. Activities include case information to complete “tasks” and can apply to individual or group projects, in and out of class.
  • Tables and figures from the printed book are available in an easily-downloadable format for use in papers, hand-outs, and presentations.
  • Access to full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter is included.

“Finally, a text that successfully brings together quantitative and qualitative methods for program evaluation.”

Kerry Freedman
Northern Illinois University

“This book provides a good balance between the topics of measurement and program evaluation, coupled with ample real-world examples of application. It breaks down the materials and it is easy to follow, which provided my students with main points related to measurement and program evaluation. In addition, this book emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. The discussion questions and cases are good and can be useful in class and for homework assignments.”

Mariya Yukhymenko
California State University Fresno

James C. McDavid

James C. McDavid (PhD, Indiana, 1975) is a professor of Public Administration at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He is a specialist in program evaluation, performance measurement, and organizational performance management. He has conducted extensive research and evaluations focusing on federal, state, provincial, and local governments in the United States and Canada. His published research has appeared in the American Journal of Evaluation, the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation and New Directions for Evaluation. He is currently a member of the editorial board of the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation and... More About Author

Irene Huse

Irene Huse holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria and is a PhD student in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria. She has worked as an evaluator and a researcher in universities and the private sector. Her research has appeared in the American Journal of Evaluation, the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation and New Directions for Evaluation. More About Author

Laura R. L. Hawthorn

 Laura R. L. Hawthorn holds a Master of Arts degree in Canadian history from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Victoria. After completing her MPA, she worked as a manager for several years in the British Columbia public service and non-profit sector before leaving to raise a family. She is currently living in Vancouver, running a small non-profit in the education field, and being mom to her two boys.   More About Author

Also available as a South Asia Edition.

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