As noted in the course overview, you will not only address obtaining a grant, but maintaining one as well. Funding sources are very particular about how you monitor ongoing progress towards proposed outcomes. Part of the grant application and periodic reporting will be your evaluation plan. There are usually two types of evaluation: formative (or ongoing) and summative (or outcome-based). You will need to use the readings and resources provided in this course to make decisions about how you will show you are making progress. This step is similar to your practice evaluations of client progress. You have several choices ranging from quantitative measures such as surveys, arrest rates, hospitalization rates, and frequency of use, to more qualitative measures such as exit interviews, focus groups, or listening groups. Triangulation of data sources helps to ensure validity of results. Using three or more data sources (often mixing qualitative and quantitative measures) can be effective.
In a 4–6 page paper, discuss your understanding of qualitative methods and quantitative methods. Then, discuss your understanding of formative and summative evaluations. Choose a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures for a formative (on-going) then a summative (final outcome) evaluation of each of your eight outcomes. For example, if you had an outcome that stated that 30-day use of alcohol among adolescents would be reduced by 50 percent, you could use an annual underage drinking survey to plot if a percentage of teens are consuming less alcohol in a 30-day period. This is considered a quantitative method. You could also gather a listening group of 10–12 adolescents who would be open, honest, and knowledgeable, and ask their perception of alcohol consumption among teens. This is considered a qualitative method. You may choose to use the listening sessions as formative evaluation and pre-and post-survey for summative evaluation. You need to rely on scholarly sources to defend your choices for all items listed above.
Submission Requirements
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Develop accurate written communication and thoughts that convey the overall goals of the assignment and do not detract from the overall message. Your paper should demonstrate graduate-level writing skills.
References: 8–12 references to text, peer reviewed journal articles, and/or credible websites (no more than 3 web sources).
Number of pages: 4–6 double-spaced pages. Note: Page count does not include cover page or references. Abstract not required.
Formatting: Use 12-pt, Arial or Times New Roman font; MS Word documents only.
APA style and formatting: Use current APA style and formatting.