A practical guide to outcome evaluation / Liz Hoggarth and Hilary Comfort.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hoggarth, Liz.

Contributor:

Comfort, Hilary.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Project management--Evaluation.

Project management.

Social work administration--Evaluation.

Social work administration.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (226 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; Philadelphia : Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For those involved in commissioning and running projects working with people, measuring performance and assessing outcomes are an essential part of applying for and maintaining funding. This versatile book guides you through the process of evaluating your project in order to improve funding applications and build the case its survival.

Contents:

FRONT COVER; A Practical Guide to OutcomeEvaluation; Contents; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; Introduction; 1 Why Should I Want to Evaluate; The different reasons for evaluation; Evaluation at different stages of the work; In whose interests?; When evaluation gets a bad name; The centrality of outcomes; 2 Why is Outcome Evaluation so Crucial; Survival in the current climate; The policy context; Outcomes and the commissioning process; Positioning your agency for commissioning; Randomised control studies - their value and theirchallenges; 3 Identifying Outcomes; Outcome models

The significance of outcome models for serviceprovidersWhat are 'outcomes'? Understanding the vocabulary; Identifying and defining the outcomes for your project; Outcomes at different levels - seeing how youcontribute to the whole; Understanding what individuals gain from a programme; 4 So How Do I Start and What Do I Need to Think About; Making a plan - answering the essential questions; Designing it in; Making sure the plan addresses the outcome questions; Practicalities and logistics; The need for 'objectivity'; The need to prevent harm; 5 Thinking About Ethics

Safeguarding our participants - the principlesInformed consent and how to get it; Voluntary participation; Confidentiality and anonymity; Equalities; Protecting children and vulnerable adults; Legal constraints; What do you do if your results reveal problems?; 6 What Do I Need to Know to Answer the Key EvaluationQuestions?; Clarifying the research questions; What do 'data' and 'evidence' mean?; What evidence do I need?; Indicators and measures; The 'hard' and 'soft' dilemma; Economic evaluation and the 'value for money' question; The credibility of the evidence

A balanced picture: Friedman's essential elements ofinformation7 How Do I Get That Information?; Sources of evaluation data; Ways of using the information to test and demonstrateoutcomes; Methods of collecting the information; Peer evaluation; Samples; Basic survey-design issues; Setting up data-collection systems; Choosing the 'best fit' methods; Keeping it practical; 8 Evaluation Tools and How to Use Them Effec; Existing surveys and assessment systems; Using your own questionnaires and interview schedules; Project records as a source of evidence; Case studies; Participatory activities

Users' own materialThe uses and abuses of qualitative material; 9 Analysing and Presenting Your Findings; Interpreting survey data; Analysing qualitative data; Being clear about the evidence - some pitfalls inpresenting data; What makes a convincing report?; Using your report strategically; 10 The Pros and Cons of the Outcome Focus; Some advantages of concentrating on outcomes; Some reservations about logic models; Problems in assessing outcomes; The logistics of commissioning; Problems facing small organisations; Revisiting the benefits; 11 Conclusion; So get started!

It may have unexpected benefits

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

1-283-90502-7

0-85700-370-4

OCLC:

699507748