SW 741 - Practice and Program Evaluation

(3 units)

The goal of this course is to develop evaluation practice skills. In this course, emphasis is placed on middle and later stages of the evaluation process, including learning to 1) use a logic model to develop evaluation questions and an evaluation plan; 2) develop data collection plans for both process and outcome evaluations; 3) use multiple sources of data to triangulate evaluation findings and include diverse perspectives; 4) analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis; and 5) present evaluation findings to a variety of audiences. Special attention will be paid to the purpose, context, and the interpretation of evaluation findings in a profession that serves disenfranchised populations. Thus values, ethics, issues of social justice and diversity will be incorporated throughout.

Maximum units a student may earn: 3

Prerequisite(s): SW 681 or admission to Advanced Standing MSW program.

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Offered: Every Spring

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. design an evaluation plan for a program or service initiative through a participatory approach.
2. incorporate implementation science strategies to explore and evaluate social work-related innovative and evidence-based practices and programs for ongoing improvement of interventions and service delivery.
3. make informed data decisions utilizing multiple sources of data to address evaluation questions, including administrative agency data, key informant and focus group data, and client survey data.
4. design a qualitative interview protocol for a key informant by formulating interview questions, conducting an interview, and capturing data for analysis.
5. apply or develop a quantitative survey instrument appropriate for the intended population being served.
6. evaluate and address ethical, social justice, culturally responsive measurement, and data collection issues and any such issues related to evaluation methods and activities.
7. formulate an evaluation/research design that is feasible and appropriate for the intended program, organization, and/or population being served; In the design process, utilize a logic model to develop process and outcome evaluation questions.
8. assemble and present an evaluation plan to various stakeholders.

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