| Purpose |
To identify and specify the need to be addressed and intended change, the target population to serve, the program processes and elements to implement to reach intended results |
To determine quality, value, or fidelity or program components, processes, activities |
To determine merit, worth, or value of program in relation to specified and expected results |
| Focus |
Context |
Process |
Impact |
| Use |
To determine need and practices prior to implementation of programming |
To improve program components, processes, activities |
To make decisions about programming effectiveness and often about program future |
| Audience |
Policy makers, program developers, consumers |
Program Administrators and personnel |
Program funding sources, consumers |
| Major Characteristics |
Foundation for program development and implementation |
Feedback for improvements in how to implement the program |
Information for decisions about continuation or adoption |
| Design Constraints |
What does the research show?
What do the community members think?
What is the intended change?
What works?
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What is the program design?
What information is needed?
When is the information needed?
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What are the expected results?
What evidence is needed?
How appropriate or feasible are the standards?
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| Purpose of Data Collection |
Program Design and Development |
Diagnostic |
Judgmental |
| Frequency of Data Collection |
Once or intermittently |
Frequent and on-going |
Less Frequent or Time-Specific |
| Sample Size |
Large |
Often small |
Large |
| Research Questions Asked |
What is the level of need?
What are the intended results?
Who should be served?
What are the best practices that should be implemented to reach intended outcomes?
What is the intended change?
What works?
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What is working?
What needs to be improved?
How can it be improved?
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What results occurred?
With whom?
Under what conditions?
At what cost?
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