Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement Flashcards
7 cards from real CVA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement flashcards as text
Which evaluation approach is best suited for understanding the unique context and nuance of a single volunteer site?
Answer: Case study
A case study provides an in-depth examination of a specific program, site, or situation, revealing contextual factors not captured by broader methods.
A volunteer manager uses complaints, exit interviews, and observation notes together to understand a dropout problem. This is an example of:
Answer: Triangulation
Triangulation uses multiple data sources or methods to cross-validate findings and build a more complete picture of a phenomenon.
Which continuous improvement principle emphasizes making small, incremental changes rather than large overhauls?
Answer: Kaizen
Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy focused on continuous, incremental improvements involving all stakeholders at every level.
What is the main risk of relying solely on volunteer satisfaction surveys as an evaluation tool?
Answer: Satisfaction does not necessarily correlate with program effectiveness or community impact
Volunteers may be satisfied with their experience even if the program is not achieving its intended outcomes for beneficiaries.
When developing an evaluation plan, 'evaluation questions' should be:
Answer: Aligned with the program's stated goals and stakeholder information needs
Evaluation questions should reflect what the program is trying to achieve and what stakeholders need to know to make decisions.
A volunteer program director shares evaluation results with all staff, volunteers, and community partners. This practice best exemplifies which evaluation standard?
Answer: Transparency and utility
Sharing evaluation findings broadly promotes transparency and ensures the results are useful to those who can act on them.
Which approach helps volunteer managers identify whether a performance gap is due to a skill deficiency or a motivational issue?
Answer: Performance analysis
Performance analysis diagnoses the root cause of a gap, distinguishing between 'can't do' (skill) and 'won't do' (motivation) problems.