Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Evaluation is a crucial aspect of public health and work in the health sector. Within the health sector there is strong competition for funding from the government and non-government sectors. The need to use evidence upon which to make judgments about programs and influencing policy rests increasingly on robust evaluations. Learning in this unit will advance knowledge and application of evaluation techniques that can be utilised in practice in a number of settings.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the knowledge and skill to be able to competently conduct a small-scale evaluation of a health program. There is a significant amount of breadth and depth of knowledge and skill required to undertake a large-scale evaluation. In this unit we will focus more on the scope required to do a basic evaluation.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Explain the links between health planning, needs assessment, goals and objectives, strategy selection, and a comprehensive program evaluation.
2. Identify evaluation stakeholders and stakeholder interests in program evaluation.
3. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of a range of different study designs for evaluating health promotion interventions or programs.
4. Identify appropriate data collection procedures and data sources.
5. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, and when they are best used.
6. Develop an understanding of the need to plan data collection and analysis strategies early in the development of an evaluation plan.
7. Identify appropriate measurement tools and develop a comprehensive data collection instrument.
8. Design a comprehensive evaluation, based on an understanding of health promotion program evaluation principles.
9. Demonstrate skills in writing a written proposal for evaluating a health program/intervention.

Content

The unit is organised into a number of sections that follow an internationally-used model of evaluation. These are:
· Introduction, which introduces you to evaluation, outlines the importance of evaluation and guides you through effective planning for evaluation;
· Engage and Describe, which assists you in developing and selecting goals and strategies and in describing the program strategies; guides you through evaluability assessments and developing a program/project logic model; and helps you develop a description of your program/project to be evaluated.
· Focus the Evaluation Design, which addresses the evaluation design and techniques for collecting evaluation data and assists you in determining appropriate and effective methods for conducting an evaluation; and
· Gather, Analyse and Justify, which focuses on additional information to enhance your understanding of the evaluation process; enables you to reflect on the evaluation process and will enable you to work towards the introduction of more robust and complex evaluation processes.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit will be delivered in both internal and external modes. You will receive information from the lecturer, as well as from texts and a range of recommended readings. You are expected to read and understand health program evaluation related journal articles and books, conduct research, and critically analyse topics.

An on-line teaching page will be established for this unit. Online real-time tutorials will be available for all students through this page. The page will also be used to post tutorial recordings, self-guided powerpoint presentations, and other course materials for you to access. All students will be expected to use the on-online materials in preparation of their assessments. Both internal and external students will receive unit materials from this Blackboard page.

Assessment

There are two assessments.Assessment will be spaced to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Professional Plan
Description: In this assignment you will complete a comprehensive evaluation plan for a health promotion program or project. This assignment is designed to assist you to develop a program evaluation plan. Content focuses on understanding the links between program goals and objectives, data collection instruments, data collection and analysis, and evaluation proposal writing.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 14

Assessment name: Professional Plan Part 1
Description: You will begin to develop a comprehensive evaluation plan for a health promotion program or project. This part of the plan will focus on engaging stakeholders and describing the program or project. You will be able to use feedback on this assignment to improve your ability to complete assignment 2. You should also read requirements for assignment 2 before attempting this assignment.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text:

McKenzie, J.F., Neigle, B.L., & Thackeray, R. (2012). Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Recommended Text:
Nutbeam, D., & Bauman, A. (2006). Evaluation in a nutshell: A practical guide to the evaluation of health promotion programs. Sydney: McGraw-Hill.

Risk assessment statement

Substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. Also ensure that your workstation is adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-May-2012