Program Evaluation: Forms & Approaches

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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

A conceptual overview of theories, issues and recent practice in evaluation. An inductive/case study approach will be used in which recent evaluation practice will be analysed using frameworks developed by the lecturers. Topics covered include: conflicting views on its nature and purposes; alternative purposes (summative, formative, illuminative); forms and approaches adopted by external and internal evaluators; evaluation and performance auditing; responsive evaluation; links between evaluation, decision-making and action; planning evaluations; an introduction to various qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques in data management; reporting evaluation findings; evaluation ethics and standards; and a critical appraisal of selected Australian evaluation studies.

Two tasks (8,000 words) with the first due mid semester and the final task due towards the end of semester. The first task is an in depth investigation of an evaluation approach including its: main features, typical applications, benefits and limitations (25 percent). The second task involves either the development of a rigorous and theoretically justified evaluation plan or individually negotiated project (75 per cent).

NOTE: Assessment for online students will be 25 per cent (Task 1), 65 per cent (Task 2) plus 10 per cent for forum participation.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• understand key evaluation concepts related to negotiating the terms of an evaluation, managing relevant data, and providing findings to stakeholders;
• plan a small scale evaluation;
• acquire knowledge about recent developments in evaluative enquiry;
• identify the limits of evaluation in decision making; and
• undertake a critical review of an evaluation project.

Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject we expect that students should be able to:

• apply evaluation logic and frameworks to inform decision-making about program provision; and
• negotiate and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Candidates intending to take this unit must obtain written permission from the co-ordinator before being allowed to enrol.