---
title: Program Evaluation
description: Program evaluation uses social science research methods to systematically assess the design, implementation, and effectiveness of public programs. Learners will acquire skills to measure outcomes, analyze data, and determine if interventions achieve their intended goals.
category: social-sciences
subcategory: public-policy-and-administration
difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced
url: /subject/program-evaluation
---

# Program Evaluation

Program evaluation uses social science research methods to systematically assess the design, implementation, and effectiveness of public programs. Learners will acquire skills to measure outcomes, analyze data, and determine if interventions achieve their intended goals.

## Available Resources

3 Books • 2 Websites

## Websites

### 1. American Evaluation Association

The professional association for program evaluators in the United States. Publishes the Guiding Principles for Evaluators and the American Journal of Evaluation, and hosts topical interest groups, competency frameworks, conference materials and job listings that shape current evaluation practice.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://www.eval.org/

**Tags:** program-evaluation, evaluation-standards, professional-association, evaluation-ethics

### 2. better evaluation.org

BetterEvaluation.org is a practical hub for program evaluation, offering guides, toolkits, and decision-support resources. It helps users choose evaluation methods, design and implement evaluations, and learn from real-world case studies.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://betterevaluation.org

**Tags:** websites, humanities-social-sciences, public-policy-administration

## Podcasts

### 1. Eval Cafe

**Author:** Carolyn Camman & Brian Hoessler

Welcome to Eval Cafe! Join co-hosts Carolyn Camman and Brian Hoessler for informal chats on evaluation-related topics – the kind you might overhear at your favourite coffeeshop, if it was frequented by evaluators. Expert or novice, long-time practitioner or just starting in the field, or even if you don’t identify with the term “evaluator” – so long as you have an interest in evaluation, this podcast is for you.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** en | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://evalcafe.wordpress.com

**Tags:** program-evaluation, evaluation-practice, professional-development, podcast

## Books

### 1. Evaluation: A Systematic Approach

**Author:** Peter H. Rossi, Howard E. Freeman, Mark W. Lipsey

The standard graduate textbook on social program evaluation, structured around needs assessment, program theory, implementation monitoring, impact assessment and efficiency analysis. Readers learn to match an evaluation design to a program's stage, stakeholders and political context.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0761908935?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, public-policy-administration

### 2. Utilization-Focused Evaluation

**Author:** Michael Quinn Patton

Michael Quinn Patton's framework built on the premise that an evaluation should be judged by whether intended users actually use it. Shows how to identify primary users, negotiate questions with them, and design studies whose findings get acted on.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0803952651?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, public-policy-administration

### 3. RealWorld Evaluation

**Author:** Michael Bamberger, Jim Rugh, Linda Mabry

A practical guide to conducting credible evaluations under budget, time, data and political constraints, drawn from development work. Covers reconstructing baselines, approximating comparison groups and simplifying data collection, then assessing what those compromises cost in validity.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/1412909465?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, public-policy-administration

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