Discussion 1: Use of Group Designs in Program Evaluation
Group programs are common in social work. Just as with other types of programs, social workers must understand the options available to them and know how to select the appropriate research design.
For this Discussion, you evaluate group research design methods that can be used for an outcome evaluation of a foster parent training program. You also generate criteria to be measured in the program.
To prepare for this Discussion, review the "Social Work Research: Planning a Program Evaluation" case study in this week's resources, Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year, and the section of "Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations with Very Limited
Resources", titled "Overview of Methods to Collect Information."
• Post your explanation of which group research design and data collection method from those outlined in the Resources you selected as appropriate for the "Social Work Research: "Planning a Program Evaluation" case study and why.
• Then, generate criteria to be measured using the research design by identifying a specific outcome and a method for measuring that outcome. Specify who will collect the data and how the data will be collected.
Discussion 2: Assessing Outcomes
How do you determine the "success" of a human services program? Part of your role as an administrator is to collaborate with your staff to determine how a particular program's effectiveness will be measured. The outcomes must be clear, realistic, and feasible, and how the outcomes will be assessed must be clear also.
For this Discussion, you will address the "Social Work Research: Program Evaluation" case study in Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year. Assume the role of an administrator in the case study to evaluate what has occurred in the program and how you might improve it.
• Post an evaluation of the success of the CALWORKS program based on the information presented in the case study.
• Be sure to define what success would be for the program and how you, as an administrator of the program, might evaluate whether success has been achieved.
• Finally, make one recommendation for improving the program's effectiveness.
Information related to above question is enclosed below:
Attachment:- Discussions.rar