The Practice of Health Program Evaluation

The Practice of Health Program Evaluation, Second Edition provides students with the methods to evaluate health programs and the expertise to navigate the political terrain so as to work more effectively with decision makers and other groups. David Grembowski uses the metaphor of evaluation being a three-act play with a variety of actors and interest groups, each having a role that involves entering and exiting the "stage" at different points in the evaluation process. The first section (Act I) shows evaluators how to work with decision makers and other groups to define the question they want answered about a program and how to develop evaluation questions. Act II covers the methods for selecting among one or more evaluation designs to answer questions about the program. And, Act III covers the use of the answers, including methods for developing formal dissemination plans, and factors that influence whether evaluation findings are used or not. Two major areas that receive more attention in theSecond Edition are program theory and causal inference. The new edition also includes more on: the role of stakeholders; ethical issues; the cultural context; study designs; the application of epidemiology and biostatistics; mixed methods; and reporting guidelines. The author has also added "Rules of Thumb" boxes, offering guidance on thepractice of evaluation.