Evaluating Large Scale Programs

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject is based on an assumption that leaders and managers need timely systematic information for use in decision-making about programs [and policies] for which they are responsible. The focus is on internal evaluations within organisations [for example schools, government agencies and businesses] which have adopted a learning organisation focus. Students will be exposed to program planning techniques such as Logical Framework Analysis, program logic, and evaluability assessment. Other topics include evaluative techniques to develop and improve programs. These include: needs assessment; translation of policy into local action; development of policy from innovative practice; and various approaches to implementation including action research. Students will be exposed to a range of data management approaches and reporting via case studies used during class sessions.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• understand the nature of multi-site multi-intervention programs;
• be capable of assessing competing evaluation designs for such programs;
• understand the role of program theory approaches to evaluation of large scale programs and be able to use these approaches.

Generic Skills

On completion of this subject, students will:

• understand large scale, complex programs
• have good understanding of complex evaluation issues
• have advanced analytical capacity to understand large scale programs and the organizations involved with these.