Question: Public Health Discussion " Outcome Versus Impact Evaluation"

You explored formative evaluation, which is evaluation that occurs before, and in tandem with, research. On the other end of the spectrum is summative evaluation. Summative evaluation includes evaluating programs and interventions as they are implemented (process evaluation) and evaluating programs after they are completed (outcome and impact evaluation.) This week focuses on the latter type of summative evaluations: outcome and impact. The two are often confused; however, they are not the same.

Post an example of an appropriate use of outcome evaluation for a study or project and an example of an appropriate use of impact evaluation. Explain your reason for using each type of evaluation, outcome or impact, for each example.