A

ABSTRACT search for term

The abstract is 125 words or less and presents a concise picture of the proposed research. It includes major constructs and hypotheses. The abstract is the first section of the paper.^[8]

ACTIVITIES search for term

Actions that are implemented to achieve the desired program results.

C

CASE STUDY search for term

A research strategy that investigates a phenomenon in its natural setting using mulitple sources of evidence. ^[10]

COMPARISON GROUP search for term

A group of people that do not receive the program under investigation and are compared to the group of program recipients on measures of interest. Comparison group differs from control groups in that they are not selected randomly from the same population as program participants. ^[10]

CONTROL GROUP search for term

A group chosen randomly from the same population as the program group but that does not receive the program. It is a stand-in for what the program group would have looked like if it had not received the program. ^[10]

CONVENIENCE SAMPLING search for term

Nonrandom sampling in which the sample is drawn from the target population because of ease of access. ^[10]

D

DEPENDENT VARIABLE search for term

A measure of the presumed effect in a study. Its values are predicted by other variables, called independent variables.^[10]

DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS search for term

Values that describe the characteristics of a sample or population. ^[7]

E

EVALUATION search for term

The systematic assessment of the operation and/or outcomes of a program or policy, compared to explicit or implicit standards, in order to contribute to the improvement of the program or policy. [10]

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS search for term

Evaluation designs in which potential recipients are randomly assigned to either a "treatment" group (receive the evaluand) or a "control" group (receive either nothing or an alternative intervention). ^[2]

F

FACT SHEET search for term

Describes a research project or evaluation initiative. Fact sheets often contain technical data lists and statistics or are sometimes a summary of a much longer document.

FOCUS GROUP search for term

A small panel of persons selected for their knowledge or perspective on a topic of interest that is convened to discuss the topic with the assistance of a facilitator. The discussion is used to identify important themes or to construct descriptive summaries of views and experiences on the focal topic. ^[6]

FORMATIVE EVALUATION search for term

A type of evaluation conducted during the course of program implementation whose primary purpose is to provide information to improve the program under study. ^[10]

I

IMPACT search for term

Change or (sometimes) lack of change caused by the evaluand. This term is similar in meaning to the terms outcome and effect. The term impact is often used to refer to long-term outcomes. ^[2]

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE search for term

The presumed cause of some outcome under study; changes in an independent variable are expected to predict a change in the value of a dependent variable. ^[10]

INFERENTIAL ANALYSIS search for term

Statistical analysis used to reach conclusions that extend beyond the immediate data alone. ^[8]

INPUTS search for term

The resources used to conduct a program. ^[10]

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD search for term

A review board that evaluates, approves, and monitors all research projects with respect to ethical requirements and practices. ^[1]

INTERVIEW search for term

A data collection method in which participants provide information about their behavior, thoughts, or feelings in response to questions posed by an interviewer. ^[1]

L

LOGIC MODEL search for term

Logic models are visual representations of programs that show how a program is intended to work, that is, how resources that are available to deliver the program are converted into program activities, and how those activities in turn produce intended results. ^[5]

LONGITUDINAL DESIGN search for term

A study design in which data are collected at several points in time from the same individuals, groups, or organizations. ^[10]

M

MIXED METHODS DATA search for term

The use of multiple measures, which include a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. ^[3]

N

NEEDS ASSESSMENT search for term

An evaluative study that answers questions about the social conditions a program is intended to address and the need for the program. ^[6]

O

OBSERVATION search for term

A data collection method in which the researcher watches and records events and processes. ^[10]

OUTCOME search for term

The end results of the program. Outcomes may be intended or unintended and be positive or negative. ^[10]

OUTCOME EVALUATION search for term

A study of whether or not the program produced the intended program effects. Outcome evaluation relates to the phase of the program studied in this case, the end result of the program. ^[10]

P

POSTTEST search for term

A measure taken after a program ends. ^[10]

PRETEST search for term

A measure taken before a program ends. ^[10]

PRETEST/POSTTEST DESIGN search for term

A reflexive control design in which only one measure is taken before and after the intervention. ^[6]

PROCESS EVALUATION search for term

A form of program evaluation designed to determine whether the program is delivered as intended to the target recipients. Also known as implementation assessment. ^[6]

Q

QUALITATIVE DATA search for term

Data that examines phenomena primarily through words and tends to focus on dynamics, meaning and context. ^[10]

QUANTITATIVE DATA search for term

Data that examines phenomena that can be expressed numerically and analyzed statistically. ^[10]

QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN search for term

A class of research designs in which program (or treatment) and comparison groups are selected non randomly but in which some controls are introduced to minimize threats to the validity of conclusions. ^[10]

QUESTIONNAIRE search for term

A group of written questions to which subjects respond. Some restrict the use of the term "questionnaire" to written responses. ^[7]

R

RANDOM ASSIGNMENT search for term

Assignment of potential targets to intervention and control groups on the basis of chance so that every unit in a target population has the same probability as any other to be selected for either group. Also referred to as randomization. ^[6]

RELIABILITY search for term

The consistency or stability of a measure over repeated use. An instrument is said to be reliable if repeated efforts to measure the same phenomenon produce the same result. ^[10]

S

SAMPLING search for term

The act of selecting units from a population. ^[10]

SECONDARY DATA SOURCES search for term

A source that provides non-original (secondhand) data or information. ^[9]

SNOWBALL SAMPLING search for term

A nonprobability sampling method in which each person interviewed is asked to suggest additional knowledgeable people for interviewing. ^[6]

STAKEHOLDER search for term

Individuals who conduct, participate in, fund, or manage a program, or who may otherwise affect or be affected by decisions about the program or evaluation. ^[10]

SUMMATIVE EVALUATION search for term

A study conducted at the end of a program (or of a phase of the program) to determine the extent to which anticipated outcomes were produced. Summative evaluation is intended to provide information about the worth of the program. ^[10]

SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING search for term

A sample drawn by selecting every Nth case from a list of potential units. ^[10]

T

TIME-SERIES DESIGN search for term

Designs that collect data over long time intervals. In evaluation, time-series designs take repeated measurements of key variables at periodic intervals before, during, and after program implementation and analyze changes over time. ^[10]

V

VALIDITY search for term

The extent to which a measure actually measures what it is intended to measure. ^[6]

VARIABLE search for term

A measured characteristic, usually expressed quantitatively, that varies across members of a population. ^[10]