Unit+3+Overview

=Unit 3=

Program Evaluation Forms and Purposes
Assignment 2 due on completion of Unit 3 Evaluation models have provided one sort of organizer for evaluation activity. Program evaluators can choose a specific model (given client approval of course) to organize and plan their evaluation activity. Owen (1999) sees limitations in applying specific models in given contexts. Models, for the most part, do not take into account the life cycle of programs, other than some cursory recognition of formative (hopefully during program development and implementation) versus summative (usually post-program implementation) purposes. Owen (1999) suggests moving beyond models and the formative/summative dichotomy, and suggests what he terms a kind of meta-model perspective in five evaluation forms. The forms are not linked solely to the original evaluation models, though they do recognize the fit of specific models within the forms. Rather, Owen's five forms are linked to, and organized around specific program development phases - from program planning to full implementation. In this unit we will examine Owen's construct of evaluation forms, and their relationship to your previously learned models.

Unit 3 - Objectives
After completing this unit, you should be able to do the following:
 * 1) Describe the five forms of program evaluation.
 * 2) Relate the five forms of program evaluation to distinct evaluation purposes.
 * 3) Delineate [sketch out] evaluation forms in relation to the program continuum.
 * 4) Discuss aspects of program evaluation planning in relation to the various forms of program evaluation.
 * 5) Discuss integration of evaluation forms and models.