Grant Writing Grant Writing Program Evaluation and Reporting Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which evaluation approach compares program outcomes against a control group that did not receive the intervention?
- Formative evaluation
- Quasi-experimental design (Correct answer)
- Process evaluation
- Needs assessment
Correct answer: Quasi-experimental design
Quasi-experimental designs use comparison or control groups to measure the effect of an intervention against a baseline.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of including a logic model in a grant evaluation plan?
- To satisfy auditing requirements
- To visually map the relationship between inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes (Correct answer)
- To calculate the total project budget
- To list all project stakeholders
Correct answer: To visually map the relationship between inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
A logic model provides a visual framework showing how program resources and activities are expected to lead to desired outcomes.
Question 3: When reporting grant outcomes to a federal funder, which practice best ensures data credibility?
- Using only anecdotal testimonials
- Triangulating data from multiple sources and methods (Correct answer)
- Reporting only positive findings
- Submitting data without review
Correct answer: Triangulating data from multiple sources and methods
Triangulation strengthens credibility by cross-verifying findings through multiple data sources, methods, or evaluators.
Question 4: What does the term 'dosage' refer to in the context of program evaluation?
- The amount of funding allocated per participant
- The extent to which participants were exposed to or engaged in program activities (Correct answer)
- The number of staff members assigned to a program
- The frequency of reporting to the funder
Correct answer: The extent to which participants were exposed to or engaged in program activities
Dosage measures how much of the program intervention each participant actually received, which affects outcome interpretation.
Question 5: Which section of a federal grant progress report typically requires grantees to describe challenges encountered and corrective actions taken?
- Budget justification
- Executive summary
- Narrative performance report (Correct answer)
- Indirect cost rate agreement
Correct answer: Narrative performance report
The narrative performance report section is where grantees discuss progress, obstacles, and any adjustments made to the project plan.
Question 6: What is the main distinction between outputs and outcomes in grant program reporting?
- Outputs measure long-term impact while outcomes measure short-term deliverables
- Outputs are quantifiable products of activities while outcomes are changes resulting from those activities (Correct answer)
- Outputs are subjective while outcomes are objective
- There is no meaningful distinction between the two
Correct answer: Outputs are quantifiable products of activities while outcomes are changes resulting from those activities
Outputs are the direct products of program activities (e.g., number of workshops held), while outcomes are the changes that result (e.g., increased knowledge).
Grant Writing Grant Writing Program Evaluation and Reporting Questions and Answers 2
Which evaluation approach compares program outcomes against a control group that did not receive the intervention?