Program Design & Evaluation Flashcards

Which evaluation design is most appropriate when random assignment to control and treatment groups is not feasible?

Answer: Quasi-experimental design

Quasi-experimental designs use comparison groups or pre-post measures when true random assignment is ethically or logistically impossible.

A nonprofit's theory of change differs from a logic model primarily in that it:

Answer: Explains the underlying assumptions about why change will occur

A theory of change articulates the causal pathways and assumptions linking activities to long-term outcomes, going beyond the visual mapping of a logic model.

Developmental evaluation is best suited for:

Answer: Innovative programs operating in complex, dynamic environments

Developmental evaluation supports real-time learning and adaptation in programs that are still evolving or operating in uncertain contexts.

When conducting a needs assessment, the term 'felt need' refers to:

Answer: What community members themselves express as lacking

Felt need is the subjective experience of a problem as perceived and voiced by community members themselves.

Which data collection method is most effective for capturing nuanced community perspectives on program relevance?

Answer: Focus groups with community members

Focus groups generate rich qualitative data about perceptions, values, and context that quantitative methods cannot easily capture.

In program design, 'dosage' refers to:

Answer: The amount, frequency, and duration of program exposure

Dosage describes how much of a program intervention participants receive, which is a key factor in achieving intended outcomes.

A summative evaluation is primarily used to:

Answer: Judge a program's overall effectiveness or value at its conclusion

Summative evaluation assesses whether a program achieved its goals, typically at the end of a funding cycle or program period.