RESEARCH AND EVALUATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

EDPSYCH/SOCWORK 945

A comprehensive introduction to practice of program evaluation research in social welfare and human development. Developments in descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, theory-driven, and naturalistic evaluations detailed. Topics include assessment, evaluation design, monitoring, outcome evaluation, selection bias, program theory, meta-analysis and utilization.

EDPOL 601

How can research and evaluation serve as mechanisms for advancing equity and justice? Interdisciplinary approach to foundational understanding of educational research and program evaluation. Explores common types of program evaluation and examine how equity-oriented frameworks can inform research and evaluation projects. Considers how politics shape who evaluates, for what reasons, and with what consequences. Engage in systematic inquiry using evaluation research methods, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

EDPOL 603

Examines applied research and evaluation design. Explains the basic components of the research process: conceptualization and measurement, sample selection, and techniques for data generation. Explores and practices research techniques, including survey, focus groups, interviews, etc. Entails a developmental sequence of assignments culminating in a research proposal.

EDPOL 580

Teaches the goals, purposes and methods associated with community-engaged, participatory research and evaluation, including the following: 1) the political and philosophical underpinnings of the approach, and specifically of participatory action research (PAR); 2) qualitative research methods; 3) examples of community-engaged, participatory studies.

EDPOL 602

An introduction to statistical analysis for research and evaluation. Draw on current events and policy debates when possible. Describe data and distributions; internal/external validity; sampling, inference, and evaluation designs (RCT, regression, DiD). Expect to use real data and computer software to complete assignments.