Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 514 – Program Evaluation

Credits - 3

Description

The course will build upon the knowledge, methods, and skills learned in foundation research courses. Students will learn how to critically assess research from ethical, multicultural, and social justice perspectives particularly in the context of agency-based research and program evaluation. An expectation is for students to collaborate with their field placement instructors, employers, or a community group with the aim of improving individual or community health through the lens of program evaluation and practice assessment. 

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Engage in policy practice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Be competent in program evaluation methods and program assessments (relates to PROGRAM OBJECTIVE 6). As measured by:
   • Discussion Forums
   • Final Research Proposal
2. Discuss the ethical and socio-political factors that influence the process of evaluation (relates to PROGRAM OBJECTIVE 4). As measured by:
   • • Discussion Forums
     • Final Research Proposal
3. Conceptualize and propose a program evaluation, which integrates and utilizes foundational research knowledge and critical thinking (relates to PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 4 and 6). As measured by:
   • Discussion Forums
   • Final Research Proposal Introduction
   • Final Research Proposal

Assignments

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities include readings, videos, discussions, and two key assessment assignments.

Discussions 

You are expected to actively participate in whole class discussion forums each week. To actively participate in the forums means to provide an initial response to the discussion questions and a minimum of three (3) responses to different classmates per week (unless otherwise indicated). Your initial posting does not count towards responses to others. This is the minimum standard for response discussion, however, there are no limitations to the number or length of your response in class discussions. The Discussion Board is an opportunity for you to examine new ideas and learn how to articulate some of the essential concepts, theories, and language that frame your profession. Think of it as your “sandbox” to explore, challenge, and reflect on practice. Your professional success going forward will depend upon what you know, but it will also depend upon how well you can express what you know and whether you can use your knowledge effectively.

Responses to others must add substantively to the discussion by building upon classmates’ ideas or posing critical questions to further the discussion. For example, a posting of “I agree with what people are saying” is not sufficient. What is considered sufficient is initiating further discussion; promoting further thought; providing critical or integrative dialogue; providing support or encouragement; challenging a peer by showing supporting literature or other documentation, and/or self-reflecting regarding the topic. Responses should reflect your ability to apply critical thinking in the discussion and topical analysis. What is critical thinking? Very simply, critical thinking means that you provide an objective, logical analysis of a topic and ask relevant, challenging questions.

Post your response no later than the assigned due date or as early in the week as possible, since doing so facilitates student-to-student interaction and maximizes the learning experience for everyone. Late responses may result in a reduction in grade. All weekly discussion questions are graded using the College-wide Discussion Rubric. 

Program Evaluation Selection (Week Two)

In this assignment, you will describe a program evaluation that you would propose to conduct in your community. The goal is to define what you would propose to study, and also to provide some background as to why you would like to study this, including references from academic sources to back up your topic and justify why it should be studied.

Theory of Change or Logic Model (Week Three)

In this assignment, you will create a theory of change or logic model for your program evaluation.  The logic model/theory of change model is be a visual document that others can follow or replicate if they were to conduct a similar study. 

Data Collection Plan & Research Questions  (Week Four)

In this assignment, you will develop 2-3 research questions that will guide your inquiry for your program evaluation.  You will also describe how you will collect your data. The goal is to identify the specific items you will measure, and to match your data collection methods to your logic model and research topic. 

Data Analysis Plan (Week Five)

In this assignment, you will describe your plan for analyzing your data. You will also edit your logic model/theory of change to align with your research question and data analysis strategy. Your edited logic model/theory of change should incorporate the feedback provided by your classmates and the instructor.

Sampling Plan, Recruitment & Dissemination of Results (Week Six)

In this assignment, you will describe your plan for selecting and recruiting participants for your study. You will also explain how you will disseminate the results of your program evaluation to relevant audiences.

Final Research Proposal (Week Seven)

Your final assignment for this course is a Research Proposal for a program evaluation that you would propose to conduct in your community. 

Your research proposal will be comprised of several different components submitted over the course of the term (Assignments Weeks 2-6). Each component will be graded with specific feedback, including feedback from your instructor as well as peer feedback on a draft of your Research Proposal, submitted during the Week 6 Discussion. Your Final Research Proposal should incorporate the feedback you receive from your instructor and peers.

Your Research Proposal will include the following sections: 

• Introduction/Overview – Describe proposed program evaluation, background and rationale (Week 2 Assignment).
• Theoretical Support – Provide Logic Model or Theory of Change to support the program evaluation (Week 3 Assignment).
• Research Questions & Measurement Plan – Provide research questions and data collection methods (Week 4 Assignment)
• Data Analysis – Explain data analysis plan, aligned to Logic Model or Theory of Change (Week 5 Assignment). 
• Sampling Plan, Recruitment & Dissemination of Results – Describe plan for sampling and recruiting participants. Explain how results will be disseminated.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Point Value	% of Grade
Discussion Forums	200 points (20 pts x 10 discussion forums)	20%
Program Evaluation Selection	100 points	10%
Theory of Change/Logic Model	100 points	10%
Data Collection Plan & Research Questions	200 points	20%
Data Analysis Plan	100 points	10%
Sampling Plan, Recruitment & Dissemination of Results	100 points	10%
Final Research Proposal	200 points	20%
Total	1,000 points	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00