For an existing programme, intervention or policy, identify an evaluation approach that could be used to evaluate one or more aspects of that programme, intervention or policy. Support your evaluation choice with wider evaluation literature and debate. You should:
– specify the purpose of your evaluation (what are your aims?)
– justify your suggested evaluation approach
– identify the challenges facing you as an evaluator in this case; and
– assess the strengths and weaknesses of your suggested evaluation approach,
supported by academic literature and debate.
Marking criteria
A strong assignment will demonstrate a high standard of achievement in each of the following areas. The overall grade will reflect attainment across these elements but there is no explicit weighting.
· Summary of the policy or programme: does the student provide a clear but succinct summary of the policy or programme being evaluated in a way which makes clear the context for the evaluation?
· Evidence of engagement with the evaluation literature: does the student show that they have read and understood at least some of the material signposted in the reading lists, and drawn on this appropriately to support their argument at different points?
· Analysis of purpose of the evaluation: does the student clearly articulate aims for their evaluation?
· Analysis of the evaluation challenges: does the student show an appreciation of the major challenges which face their kind of evaluation?
· Option 1: Is there a clear design or approach set out, and a critical reflection on its strengths and weaknesses or limitations?
Do not spend time discussing the quality of the programme or intervention
Focus on the evaluation
The reference format is Harvard
Reading list
·HM Treasury (2011) The Magenta Book: guidance for evaluation. London: HM Treasury. Part A, Chapters 1 and 2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-magenta-book
·Fox, C., Grimm, R., & Caldeira, R. (2016). An introduction to evaluation. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473983151 (available on the university library system)
·Rossi, P. H., Freeman, H. E., and Lipsey, M. W. (1999) Evaluation: a systematic approach. 6th edition. London: Sage. Chapters 1 and 2. 7th and 8th editions available through GU library in printed form, 6th edition available as e-book. [Chapter 1 of 7th edition available free at www.sagepub.com/upm-data/3988_Chapter_1_overview.pdf]
