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Browsing by Subject "Evaluation research"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Gang task forces: formation, network structure, and effectiveness
    (2010-12) Barrows, Julie S.
    Gang task forces are multi-agency collaborations that seek to address and quell gang problems in the communities they serve. From a sociological perspective, gang task forces offer a rich topic ripe for study. Why do gang task forces form? Are certain demographic and political environments more conducive to gang task force implementation? Which agencies participate in gang task forces? What relationships exist between gang task force participants and non-participants? Are gang task forces effective in combating real or perceived gang problems? This study is the first attempt to answer these important questions by examining every gang task force in operation in the United States today. Using a mixed methods approach, this study compares original survey data collected from 197 of the 249 gang task forces in current operation to secondary data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-USA), and the FBI's Uniform Crime Report to examine whether certain metropolitan areas are more likely to implement a gang task force and whether gang task forces are successful in curbing youth violence. After describing survey responses about gang task force formation and presenting a life table of the survival and hazard rate of gang task formation, the results of the Cox regression analyses suggest that gang task forces are likely to form in politically liberal areas of relative affluence with high juvenile crime rates. Further, and again after describing survey responses about gang task force effectiveness, the results of the fixed effects models suggest that gang task forces may indeed lower official juvenile crime rates while controlling for geographic region, race, socio-economic status, and political affiliation. To complement the national study of gang task force formation, structure and effectiveness, a case study of one particular gang task force, the Metro Gang Strike Force in Minnesota (MGSF) is presented. After describing the organizational structure and network of relationships that exist in gang task forces according to national survey respondents, the case study provides a closer look into the structure of and relationships in the MGSF. A social network analysis examines the network positions of 27 of the 34 MGSF participants, and provides a visual depiction of their relationships. Overall, this national study of gang task forces and case study of the MGSF offers the first 1) attempt to explain why such multi-agency collaborations form, 2) glimpse inside the network of a gang task force, and 3) evaluation of the success of gang task forces. As the first study of its kind, results are preliminary and subject to the limitations of the available data and evaluation research. However, this comprehensive analysis can be extended to studies of other private and public sector initiatives, and paves the way for much needed future research on gang task forces specifically
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    An initial study to develop instruments and validate the Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators (ECPE)
    (2012-06) Wilcox, Yuanjing
    Contemporary program evaluation emerged in the 1960s with the unprecedented Great Society programs. Over the past half of a century, program evaluation has clearly developed, yet it has not developed into a full-fledged profession. Unlike many established professions, program evaluation does not have certification or licensure for evaluators and cannot exclude unqualified persons from the profession. Evaluator competencies are one of the underpinning foundations of professional designation. Evaluator competencies demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required in program evaluators. The Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators, developed by King et al. (2001) and revised by Stevahn et al. (2005), were one of the first efforts at specifying evaluator competencies. The purpose of this study was to develop instruments (a web-based survey and interview protocol) to initially validate the Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators using Messick's (1989, 1995a, 1995b) concept of unitary validity as a framework. The validated evaluator competencies can be used to enhance the professionalization of the field of evaluation.
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    Non-point Source Pollution (NPS) Project Evaluation Practices in Minnesota: Summary Report
    (University of Minnesota. Water Resources Center, 2008-10-23) Eckman, Karlyn; Walker, Rachel; Bouapao, Lilao; Nuckles, Kimberly
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    Understanding Evaluation's Influence on Stakeholders' Attitudes and Actions at a Social Services Organization
    (2021-06) Anderson, Lindsay
    Research and discussions of evaluation use have a long history in the field of evaluation. Recently, discussions of evaluation use have expanded to include the concept of evaluation influence in an attempt to better understand the impact of evaluation through a variety of approaches. Much of the existing research on evaluation use focuses on how and under what conditions evaluations are used by stakeholders. However, to date, limited research on evaluation influence exists and less is known about the specific ways in which evaluation may influence stakeholders’ attitudes and actions. This study focused on building an understanding of how stakeholder attitudes and actions towards evaluation change as a result of being involved in an evaluation process. An exploratory qualitative approach and case study design was used. The case was a single social services agency. An evaluation of the social service agency’s employment program took place. Participants involved in the study were interviewed before and after the evaluation took place to better understand how they were using evaluation and their attitudes towards evaluation. This study found evaluation influenced stakeholders in multiple ways at the individual, interpersonal, and collective levels. The research demonstrated 1) people recognize the value of evaluation, but in different ways; 2) evaluation is more than just about the results, the process matters; 3) evaluation influences participants at multiple levels of an organization; 4) participating in an evaluation does influence stakeholders’ attitudes towards evaluation in positive ways; 5) evaluation is important in facilitating communication among key stakeholders; and 6) evaluation has the potential to influence future evaluation activities.