CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Descriptive Statistics in Evaluation
2. Subgroup Analysis
3. Variable - Are They Related?
4. Correlation
5. The t-Test of Difference Between Means

Supplements
Resources
Glossary

Wading Through the Data Swamp:
Program Evaluation 201

Reasons for Conducting an Evaluation

In addition to meeting grant requirements, evaluation is used for:

• Justification: Evaluation helps you justify delivery of services.
• Documentation: Evaluation helps you demonstrate that the program objectives were met.
• Accountability: Evaluation helps you show that funds are spent appropriately and efficiently. That means money is used for services and the maximum number of people is served.
• Decision-making: Evaluation helps you make informed decisions about the program's future direction.
• Helping program participants: Evaluation helps you determine the effectiveness of a prevention program for its participants. That means looking at whether their lives have improved as a result of the program.
• Helping program managers: Evaluation helps you ensure continuous improvement in management and service delivery.
• Getting more money for your program: Evaluation helps you gain support for your program or project funding. Besides the Federal Government, funds may be available from State and local agencies and private organizations.
• Providing information to the prevention field: Evaluation can provide new information about service delivery. This may be useful to staff and participants or others who wish to replicate your program in their communities.
• Improving your program: Seeing what worked and what didn't can help you make changes.