Program Evaluation: Forms & Approaches

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

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; reporting evaluation findings; evaluation ethics and standards; and a critical appraisal of selected Australian evaluation studies.

• 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.

Two tasks (8,000 words in total ) with the first task 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.