Evaluation: A Systematic Approach
SAGE Journal Articles
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Journal Article 1: Arseneault, C., Alain, M., Plourde, C., Ferland, F., Blanchette-Martin, N., & Rousseau, M. (2015). Impact Evaluation of an Addiction Intervention Program in a Quebec Prison. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 9. DOI: 10.4137/SART.S22464
Abstract: This study evaluates the effects of a prison-based addiction intervention program. The evaluation is based on a multidimensional data collection that draws a portrait of the respondents’ substance use, and of their psychological/emotional, social, and judicial spheres. It measures the changes, or lack thereof, in substance use; the psychological/emotional, social, and judicial spheres; as well as the post-treatment services used.
Questions to Consider:
1. What methods did the authors use in conducting the impact evaluation?
2. What were the results of the evaluation?
3. How were the results of the evaluation used by the program?
Journal Article 2: Wimbush, E., Montague, S., & Mulherin, T. (2012). Applications of contribution analysis to outcome planning and impact evaluation. Evaluation, 18(3), 310-329. DOI: 10.1177/1356389012452052
Abstract: Contribution analysis is a structured approach to theory-based impact evaluation originally developed in Canada in the context of Results-Based Management (RBM) although there have been few examples of contribution analysis in practice since Mayne’s original paper (2001).
Questions to Consider:
1. What is contribution analysis?
2. How do the authors use contribution analysis in their evaluation?
3. What benefits does this method hold for evaluators and program officials according to the authors?
Journal Article 3: Sayago-Gomez, J., Piras, G., Jackson, R., & Lacombe, D. (2017). Impact evaluation of investments in the Appalachian Region: A reappraisal. International Regional Science Review, 41(6), 601-629. DOI: 10.1177/0160017617713822
Abstract: The authors evaluate the impact of a half century of nontransportation Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) investments on its constituent counties using quasi-experimental methods.
Questions to Consider:
1. What methods did the authors use to conduct the impact evaluation?
2. What were the results of the evaluation?
3. How can these results be used in evaluations of similar programs?