Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches

The contact hours for the on campus availabilities of this subject may be completed by distance by negotiation with the project supervisor.

160 hours. Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, 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 the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides an introduction to the theory and practice of evaluation. Topics covered include: the nature and purposes of evaluation; major forms and approaches to conducting evaluations; fundamentals of negotiating and planning evaluations; reporting evaluation findings; evaluation standards; and the links between evaluation, decision-making and action. The course features practical and case-based activities.

This subject is designed to enable students to:
• understand key evaluation concepts and terminology;
• plan and undertake evaluations;
• acquire knowledge about recent developments in evaluative inquiry;
• understand factors associated with evaluation use as well as limits of evaluation in decision-making; and
• undertake a critical review of an evaluation project.

There are three items of assessment:

• Written task of 3000 words due in Week 4 (30% );
• Written task of 6000 words due at the end of the course (60%);
• Class or forum participation throughout the semester (10%).

Owen, J. M. 2006. Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches (3rd Ed). Crows Nest, NSW, Allen and Unwin.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.