Program Evaluation
JBA has a nearly thirty-year record of excellence and an impressive array of knowledge and experience performing high-quality program evaluations of varying scope and complexity. Each program evaluation has three interdependent phases that culminate in objective evidence on program performance. In the design and planning phase, JBA stresses the disciplined use of logic models to clarify the expected relationships between program inputs, processes and outcomes. Evaluability assessment techniques are generally employed to ensure that findings will be useful in decision-making and meet high standards for measurement integrity.
The second phase of evaluation typically employs a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. Depending on the project, these might include a combination of in-person and telephone interviews, focus groups, case studies, document content analysis, structured observations, secondary data analysis, case record abstractions and mail, telephone or Web-based surveys.
Although sometimes overlooked, the third phase of informing program management and policy decision-makers and disseminating evaluation findings is crucial to realizing the full benefits of an evaluation. Typically, multiple modes of communication are utilized, including briefings, report summaries or executive summaries, and detailed technical reports. Regardless, these materials are written in clear, concise language devoid of technical or programmatic jargon. This phase may also involve syntheses of findings from local or state evaluations to isolate overarching findings for a program of national interest.
Click on the links below to learn more about JBA projects in the area of program evaluation: