Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
An Introduction to Practice

Third Edition

James C. McDavid - University of Victoria, Canada
Irene Huse - University of Victoria, Canada
Laura R. L. Hawthorn

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Other Titles in:
Evaluation | Program Evaluation | Public Health Program Evaluation

October 2018 | 568 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

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

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Sample Materials & Chapters

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

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

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

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Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
An Introduction to Practice

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James C. McDavid

Irene Huse

Laura R. L. Hawthorn

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