Evaluation Methods & Reporting Flashcards
7 cards from real CPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evaluation Methods & Reporting flashcards as text
A program evaluator wants to understand participants' lived experiences with a job-training program. Which data collection method is MOST appropriate?
Answer: In-depth phenomenological interviews
Phenomenological interviews capture subjective lived experiences, making them ideal for understanding participant perspectives in qualitative evaluation.
In a utilization-focused evaluation, the primary driver of evaluation design decisions is:
Answer: Intended use by intended users
Utilization-focused evaluation, developed by Patton, centers all design decisions on how primary intended users will actually use the findings.
Which threat to internal validity occurs when participants in a control group seek out alternative treatments because they know they are not receiving the intervention?
Answer: Compensatory rivalry
Compensatory rivalry (the 'John Henry effect') occurs when control group members work harder or seek alternatives because they know they are in the comparison group.
A mixed-methods evaluation uses qualitative data to explain unexpected quantitative findings. This integration strategy is called:
Answer: Explanatory sequential design
Explanatory sequential design collects quantitative data first, then uses qualitative data to explain or elaborate on the quantitative results.
When reporting evaluation findings to a community of color that has historically been exploited by researchers, an evaluator should FIRST:
Answer: Engage community members in reviewing and interpreting the findings
Culturally responsive evaluation requires community engagement in interpreting findings to ensure accuracy and build trust with historically marginalized groups.
A Gantt chart is used in evaluation planning primarily to:
Answer: Schedule and track evaluation tasks over time
A Gantt chart is a project management tool that visually displays evaluation tasks on a timeline, showing start/end dates and dependencies.
Which reporting format is MOST appropriate when the primary audience for evaluation findings is frontline program staff who need actionable guidance?
Answer: Brief executive summary with specific recommendations
Frontline staff need concise, actionable information, making a brief summary with clear recommendations the most effective reporting format for this audience.