WHAT CAN WE ACTUALLY GET FROM PROGRAM EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 15366
• Journal: POLICY SCIENCES Volume: 3 Dated: (1972) Pages: 361-369
• Author(s): J S WHOLEY
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Elsevier North-Holland, Inc
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT.

Annotation

EVALUATION HAS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE EVALUATORS, THE PROGRAM MANAGERS, AND THE POLICY MAKERS, AND FOR THOSE REASONS IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE ACCURATE, HELPFUL, OR EFFECTIVE.

Abstract

THIS PAPER ASSESSES THE ROLE PROGRAM EVALUATION CAN PLAY IN ASSISTING DECISIONS ON PUBLIC PROGRAMS. THE AUTHOR LOOKS AT EVALUATION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF DECISIONMAKERS INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT THE RIGHT ANSWERS ABOUT THEIR PROGRAMS. THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON THE ASSISTANCE THAT VARIOUS TYPES OF EVALUATION CAN GIVE TO PROGRAM MANAGERS AND TO POLICYMAKERS CONCERNED WITH LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND BUDGET LEVELS. THE PAPER INCLUDES RECENT EXAMPLES OF RELEVANT EVALUATION WORK. THE CONCLUDING SECTION ANALYZES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS DECISIONMAKERS FACE IN TRYING TO GET RELIABLE, USEFUL EVALUATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)