ABSTRACT
During the 1990s of professional program evaluation in higher education, the most probable task for a program evaluator would have been to document and report 'program fidelity' between an approved proposal for program services and actual services delivered, and whether program activities were in accordance with legislation or regulations. This chapter provides a basic overview of what is meant by program evaluation, a discussion of the types and purposes of program evaluations, a description of the fundamental considerations in designing and conducting a program evaluation, presentation of various ways of measuring program performance, and a short description of evaluability assessment. The overarching goal of evaluating a program is to create an evidence and information database through which administrators and managers are informed, so as to allow them to identify aspects of the program that require improvement, in order to achieve intended strategic goals or to communicate the quality (merit) or value (worth) of their program to key vested stakeholders.
