NST 166 MIDTERM 2 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
program evaluation - ANSWER-The systematic collection of information about the
activities, characteristics, and outcomes of
programs to make judgments about the program,
improve program effectiveness, and/or inform
decisions about future program development.
Why evaluate? - ANSWER-Inform program implementation by assessing:
What is working (or not) and make adjustments as needed, Successes (or
shortcomings), Alignment with original program goals, If program is implemented as
planned
Justify the Program:
Show the need for the funds, Provide accountability to funder/partners, Let
participants/community know what worked
Document the program and share the findings with the larger field
Who evaluates? - ANSWER-Program/agency staff
◦ Pro: Know the program well, relationships with
partners/those who need to participate in evaluation
◦ Con: Closely involved and may want program to show success, may not have
training in evaluation methods
Outside consultant/organization
◦ Pro: Easier to be objective, specialize in designing & carrying out evaluations
◦ Con: Viewed as "outsider," maybe not as familiar with the community/population,
can be confusing for participants
Logic Models - ANSWER-A systematic and visual way to present and share your
understanding of the relationships among the resources you have to operate your
program, the activities you plan and changes or results you hope to achieve.
developing logic models - ANSWER-Serves as framework for program planning and
focuses implementation; Develops shared understanding of program among key
stakeholders; Clarifies the expected sequence of
steps from program activities to outcomes; Identifies gaps in thinking and practice
using logic models - ANSWER-Outlines how the program plans to achieve its goals
and meet its mission; Shows the theory behind the program activities, makes
assumptions underlying the program explicit; Assists in sharing program description
with others; Helps identify measures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, helps to
determine who, what, and when to
evaluate
,Logic model components: inputs - ANSWER-Materials needed to create and
implement the
program (e.g., funding, staffing, facilities)
Logic model components: activities - ANSWER-Processes, actions, and events
needed to implement the program (e.g., training sessions,
curriculum development)
Logic model components: outputs - ANSWER-Tangible, often process oriented
products or
services expected from program implementation
Logic model components: outcomes - ANSWER-Measurable changes in program
participants'
knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavior
due to their involvement in the program
Logic model components: impacts - ANSWER-Big picture, aspirational;
organizational, community, and/or system level changes, not necessarily measurable
Common evaluation designs - ANSWER-Pre & Post
Control/Comparison
Case Study
Cross Sectional
Can be a combination of designs
Types of Evaluation - ANSWER-Formative: Guides program development and
improvement
Process: The extent to which the program is being implemented as designed
Economic: How outcomes compare to cost
Outcome: The extent to which the program is impacting target population
Impact: The extent to which the program meets its ultimate goal(s)
Evaluation Planning - ANSWER-Develop overarching evaluation questions/aims
(starting with a logic model can assist), identify the audience for each question, and
determine how the findings from each question will be used --> Select the indicators
(variables to measure the changes you hope to see) that will provide information to
answer the overarching evaluation questions --> Determine the methods and tools
for the selected indicators, plan the data collection timeline and identify party
responsible
Evaluation methods - ANSWER-Quantitative data: Surveys: In person, Phone,
Online; Observational assessments; Secondary data analysis
Qualitative: Key informant interviews, Focus groups, Document review, Media
analysis
case study - ANSWER-an observation technique in which one person is studied in
depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
, cross-sectional study - ANSWER-type of study that measures a variable across
several age groups at the same time
What is usually the strongest approach to evaluation? - ANSWER-A mixed method
evaluation is usually the strongest approach
food security - ANSWER-Access by all people at all times to sufficient
food for an active and healthy life.
food insecurity - ANSWER-Limited or uncertain ability to acquire or consume an
adequate quality of food in socially acceptable ways.
poverty - ANSWER-The state of having too little money to meet
minimum needs for food, clothing, and shelter
Food Security: 5 components - ANSWER-1 -- Quantity
2 -- Quality
3 -- Suitability
4 -- Psychological
5 -- Social
How is Food Insecurity measured? - ANSWER-o 1990: NNMRRP
o 1995: 18 item survey to measure food security
developed and administered
o 1995-present: Survey administered every year
o NHANES, NHIS & other Federal, State and
Local surveys use the 18 item screener to measure
food security
Household food security measurement: food security - ANSWER-High food security
(0 yes responses): households had no problems or anxiety about, consistently
accessing adequate food
Marginal food security (1 to 2 yes responses): one or two reported concerns about
problems/anxiety accessing adequate food, but quality, quantity, and variety of their
food intake is not substantially reduced
Household food security measurement: food insecurity - ANSWER-Low food security
(3 to 5 yes responses): households reduced the quality, variety, and desirability of
their diets, but little to no indication of reduced food intake
Very low food security: (6 to 10 yes responses): at times during the year, eating
patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake reduced
because the household lacked and other resources for food
Needs Assessment Tools: Other Mapping Resources - ANSWER-o Community
Nutrition Mapping Project (CNMap)
o BRFSS Map System
o Network for a Healthy California
o Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
program evaluation - ANSWER-The systematic collection of information about the
activities, characteristics, and outcomes of
programs to make judgments about the program,
improve program effectiveness, and/or inform
decisions about future program development.
Why evaluate? - ANSWER-Inform program implementation by assessing:
What is working (or not) and make adjustments as needed, Successes (or
shortcomings), Alignment with original program goals, If program is implemented as
planned
Justify the Program:
Show the need for the funds, Provide accountability to funder/partners, Let
participants/community know what worked
Document the program and share the findings with the larger field
Who evaluates? - ANSWER-Program/agency staff
◦ Pro: Know the program well, relationships with
partners/those who need to participate in evaluation
◦ Con: Closely involved and may want program to show success, may not have
training in evaluation methods
Outside consultant/organization
◦ Pro: Easier to be objective, specialize in designing & carrying out evaluations
◦ Con: Viewed as "outsider," maybe not as familiar with the community/population,
can be confusing for participants
Logic Models - ANSWER-A systematic and visual way to present and share your
understanding of the relationships among the resources you have to operate your
program, the activities you plan and changes or results you hope to achieve.
developing logic models - ANSWER-Serves as framework for program planning and
focuses implementation; Develops shared understanding of program among key
stakeholders; Clarifies the expected sequence of
steps from program activities to outcomes; Identifies gaps in thinking and practice
using logic models - ANSWER-Outlines how the program plans to achieve its goals
and meet its mission; Shows the theory behind the program activities, makes
assumptions underlying the program explicit; Assists in sharing program description
with others; Helps identify measures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, helps to
determine who, what, and when to
evaluate
,Logic model components: inputs - ANSWER-Materials needed to create and
implement the
program (e.g., funding, staffing, facilities)
Logic model components: activities - ANSWER-Processes, actions, and events
needed to implement the program (e.g., training sessions,
curriculum development)
Logic model components: outputs - ANSWER-Tangible, often process oriented
products or
services expected from program implementation
Logic model components: outcomes - ANSWER-Measurable changes in program
participants'
knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavior
due to their involvement in the program
Logic model components: impacts - ANSWER-Big picture, aspirational;
organizational, community, and/or system level changes, not necessarily measurable
Common evaluation designs - ANSWER-Pre & Post
Control/Comparison
Case Study
Cross Sectional
Can be a combination of designs
Types of Evaluation - ANSWER-Formative: Guides program development and
improvement
Process: The extent to which the program is being implemented as designed
Economic: How outcomes compare to cost
Outcome: The extent to which the program is impacting target population
Impact: The extent to which the program meets its ultimate goal(s)
Evaluation Planning - ANSWER-Develop overarching evaluation questions/aims
(starting with a logic model can assist), identify the audience for each question, and
determine how the findings from each question will be used --> Select the indicators
(variables to measure the changes you hope to see) that will provide information to
answer the overarching evaluation questions --> Determine the methods and tools
for the selected indicators, plan the data collection timeline and identify party
responsible
Evaluation methods - ANSWER-Quantitative data: Surveys: In person, Phone,
Online; Observational assessments; Secondary data analysis
Qualitative: Key informant interviews, Focus groups, Document review, Media
analysis
case study - ANSWER-an observation technique in which one person is studied in
depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
, cross-sectional study - ANSWER-type of study that measures a variable across
several age groups at the same time
What is usually the strongest approach to evaluation? - ANSWER-A mixed method
evaluation is usually the strongest approach
food security - ANSWER-Access by all people at all times to sufficient
food for an active and healthy life.
food insecurity - ANSWER-Limited or uncertain ability to acquire or consume an
adequate quality of food in socially acceptable ways.
poverty - ANSWER-The state of having too little money to meet
minimum needs for food, clothing, and shelter
Food Security: 5 components - ANSWER-1 -- Quantity
2 -- Quality
3 -- Suitability
4 -- Psychological
5 -- Social
How is Food Insecurity measured? - ANSWER-o 1990: NNMRRP
o 1995: 18 item survey to measure food security
developed and administered
o 1995-present: Survey administered every year
o NHANES, NHIS & other Federal, State and
Local surveys use the 18 item screener to measure
food security
Household food security measurement: food security - ANSWER-High food security
(0 yes responses): households had no problems or anxiety about, consistently
accessing adequate food
Marginal food security (1 to 2 yes responses): one or two reported concerns about
problems/anxiety accessing adequate food, but quality, quantity, and variety of their
food intake is not substantially reduced
Household food security measurement: food insecurity - ANSWER-Low food security
(3 to 5 yes responses): households reduced the quality, variety, and desirability of
their diets, but little to no indication of reduced food intake
Very low food security: (6 to 10 yes responses): at times during the year, eating
patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake reduced
because the household lacked and other resources for food
Needs Assessment Tools: Other Mapping Resources - ANSWER-o Community
Nutrition Mapping Project (CNMap)
o BRFSS Map System
o Network for a Healthy California
o Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
