Week 11: Applying Knowledge of Research in Program Evaluation

Discussion Post –  Discussion 1: Translating Knowledge From an Evaluation Report

Must contain at least 3 References and Citations from the weekly reading materials.

Week 11: Applying Knowledge of Research in Program Evaluation

While there is benefit to acquiring knowledge for its own sake, social work research and program evaluations are not merely academic exercises. Both social work research and the various types of program evaluations you have studied throughout this course should be used to directly improve day-to-day practice and service to clients. Social workers have the responsibility not only to conduct program evaluations and research but also share the knowledge they possess for the benefit of others. Modern technologies have given social workers the ability to quickly and easily share the results of their research and evaluation to improve social work practice on a large scale.

This week you analyze the process of sharing evaluation results with others. You also analyze the applicability of what you have learned in this course to your future as a social work student and working professional.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze the process of presenting evaluation results to others
• Evaluate strategies for presenting evaluation results to others
• Analyze the applicability of social work research and program evaluation to future goals

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Hendricks, G., & Barkley, W. (2012). Necessary, But Not Sufficient: The McKinney-Vento Act and Academic Achievement in North Carolina. Children & Schools, 34(3), 179-185.

 

Law, B., & Shek, D. (2011). Process Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program: Project P.A.T.H.S. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(5), 539-548.

 

Mallett, C. A. (2012). The school success program: improving maltreated children’s academic and school-related outcomes. Children & Schools, 34(1), 13-26.

 

Reupert, A., Foster, K., Maybery, D., Eddy, K., & Fudge, E. (2011). ‘Keeping families and children in mind’: An evaluation of a web-based workforce resource. Child & Family Social Work, 16(2), 192–200

 

Discussion 1: Translating Knowledge From an Evaluation Report

Instructors and professors often comment that they learn much more about their subject matter when they begin to teach it. When they try to explain the topic to someone else they begin to connect concepts in new ways. They anticipate questions that students might ask, consider different viewpoints, and think more critically.

 

For this Discussion, take the perspective of someone who is instructing his or her colleagues and sharing your understanding of research methods and program evaluation.

To prepare for the Discussion, select an evaluation report from this week’s resources. Consider how you would present the information to a group of colleagues.

 

Provide a 400-word Discussion Post

• An analysis of how you would present the results of the evaluation to a group of social work colleagues.
• Identify the background information that you think they would need and the key message of your presentation.
• Explain the strategies that you might use to meet your colleagues’ interests and goals.
• Identify 3 questions that your colleagues might have and what their reactions might be.