Foundations of Evaluation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170

None. This is the introductory subject for the Master of Evaluation-Coursework, the Master of Evaluation-Research, and the Graduate Certificate in Evaluation. No background knowledge is required.

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

This subject provides students with an introduction to evaluation fundamentals, including: the nature and purposes of evaluation, the logic of evaluation, types of evaluations, values, and professional standards.

• Define the nature of evaluation and identify its purposes

• Identify different sets of standards, competencies and ethics for practice

• Define and explain key concepts in evaluation

• Define and explain methods to analyse programs and apply them to simple cases

• Analyse and criticize evaluation products

• Mid term (2000 words) due mid-semester (40%)
• Final (2500 words) due end of semester (50%)
• Small assessments (8-10 throughout subject) (500 words) ongoing, (10%)

Throughout their evaluation course, students could benefit from one or more introductory evaluation textbooks. The following are recommended:
• Fitzpatrick, J. L., Sanders, J. R., Worthen, B. R. (2010). Program evaluation: Alternative approaches and practical guidelines (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Publishing.
• Owen, J. M. (2006). Program evaluation: Forms and approaches (3rd ed.). Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
• Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W. & Freeman, H. E. (2004) Evaluation: A systematic approach (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
• Stufflebeam, D.L. & Coryn, C. L. S. (2014). Evaluation theory, models, & applications. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
• Weiss, C. (1998). Evaluation (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Mertens, D. M., & Wilson, A. T. (2012). Program evaluation theory and practice. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.
• Posavac, E. J. (2010). Program evaluation: Methods and case studies (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Publishing.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.