Application Activity 3: Evaluation Plan Outline

Purpose & How It Will Help If done well, this outline can serve as the blueprint for Capstone Part 1 (Evaluation Plan). You’re building the “foundation” now by listing the key elements of your plan in structured, detailed format. Later on, you will be able to expand on it further with a literature review, detailed explanations, and full paragraphs. Think of it like this: “Here’s my entire plan on one page” You’ll also be able to use this outline during class or our one-on-one consultations in Week 7 to get feedback on whether all the pieces fit together before you invest time writing the full paper. The more effort you put into this assignment, the more time you save for your “future self.” Before You Start Make sure that you have reviewed the Canvas pages for Weeks 1-5 along with any resources or guides included there. You should also have the following ready before starting: * Your refined evaluation question (from AA1, with any revisions and feedback applied) * Your revised logic model (from AA2) * Notes about data sources at your placement * Ideas about your measurement tool or the specific record fields you plan to use Application Activity 3 Instructions Important note: To save time and alleviate a bit of pressure, do not worry about writing in full paragraphs yet. Instead, use this to brainstorm and plan by using bullets, short phrases, and lists so that this assignment can serve as your working outline. Using the word document linked below, fill in each section with brief and specific information about your project. This word document is what you will upload here in Canvas as part of the assignment. SWK 5450 Application Activity 3 – Evaluation Plan Outline (S26).docx The following is an overview of what can be found in the above word document in case you wish to take a glance throughout the week as you work through the required activities. However, do not use the overview below to complete/upload for this assignment. Overview of what is required for AA3 Part 1: Project Basics Capstone Project Type: Staff Training with Evaluation OR Secondary Data Analysis (highlight your selection or delete the one that does not apply) Field Placement: Organization name and brief description Evaluation Question: Your refined and revised question from AA1 or AA2 Evaluation Type: From Dudley Chapter 4 – be specific Three-Stage Approach: Planning/Input, Implementation/Process, or Outcome — where are you NOW? Part 2: Logic Model Summary In this section, briefly summarize your logic model from AA2. You can just list key points — you do not need to recreate the full visual. Key Inputs: List 2-3 main resources Key Activities: What happens? 1-2 specific actions Key Outputs: What gets produced or delivered? 1-2 countable things Key Outcomes You’ll Measure: Short-term: 1-2 immediate changes Long-term (if applicable): 1 ultimate goal Part 3: Data Sources & Data Collection Where will your data come from? Be specific: pre/post surveys? Client records? Training attendance? Existing database? Who will provide the data? Staff members? Clients? Archival records? How many people/records? When will data be collected? Timeline: Before/after training? Pull records from what date range? One-time or multiple points? What tool or instrument will you use? Specific survey name? Record fields? Assessment tool? Interview protocol? * If you are creating your own: What will it measure? How many items? * If using existing records: What specific fields/variables? Provide a “snapshot” of your tool or instrument At the bottom of this document, there is a template for you to provide your snapshot. You can either copy/paste your responses into this section OR leave your responses in the template for me to review. * If you are doing a staff training with evaluation component: You must provide at least 3 pretest questions and 3 posttest questions, along with the response format for each (e.g., True/False, Multiple Choice, Likert scale). * If you are doing a secondary data analysis: You must complete the data extraction tool template. Before continuing: Stop here and scroll to the end of this document to complete your snapshot template. Once you have finished your snapshot, come back and continue with Parts 4-7. Your scoring method will be discussed during your one-on-one meeting in Week 7. Part 4: Sample and Participation Who is being evaluated? Staff participating in training? Clients in records? What population? How many participants/records? Estimated number — be realistic How will they be selected? All staff? Random sample of records? Specific criteria? Informed consent approach: How will you explain the evaluation and obtain consent? OR if using existing de-identified records, note that here. Part 5: Ethical Considerations Confidentiality: How will you protect participant information and client information used for secondary data analysis? Voluntary participation: Can people opt out? How will you make this clear? Potential risks: Any risks to participants? How will you minimize them? NASW Code of Ethics connections: Which ethical principles guide this evaluation? Name 1-2 specific standards. Part 6: Anticipated Limitations What are the limitations of your evaluation plan? List 2-4 realistic constraints that apply to your specific project. Examples (not exhaustive): small sample size, no control group, self-reported data only, limited timeframe, potential for social desirability bias, cannot establish causation Part 7: Connection to Capstone Part 1 In Week 7, students will have the opportunity to meet with me for one-on-one consultations. Use this section as a “brain dump” where you will briefly note any areas you need to develop further, questions you still have, or pieces that still feel unclear as you look ahead to writing Capstone Part 1. This does not need to be polished… honest reflection is the goal here. To Complete This Assignment: 1. Download the Word document template (linked above) 2. Fill in Parts 1 and 2 first 3. When you reach Part 3, stop and complete the snapshot template at the end of the document before continuing 4. Return and complete Parts 4 through 7 5. Submit in canvas by upload your file as a Word Doc. or PDF Tip from Dr. N: What Makes a Strong Outline Specific to your capstone: uses actual details from your placement, not placeholders Connects all the pieces: your question, logic model, data source, and measures all align with each other Realistic and doable: you can actually access this data and complete this plan this semester Shows engagement with course materials: uses Dudley’s frameworks and evaluation research terminology correctly Clear about methods: someone reading this would understand how you’ll collect data and who you’ll collect it from Snapshot is complete and matches the project type: training students have pre/post questions with response formats; secondary data students have a completed extraction tool Acknowledges limitations: shows realistic thinking about constraints specific to this project. Remember that you are not necessarily being graded on whether or not evaluation question was “answered”. Common Mistakes to Avoid Writing full paragraphs instead of outline format. It is easy for students to spend too much time writing “too much” that things get lost in context. This is an outline and is only here to help yo get a good head start on Capstone Part 1 and the implementation of your program evaluation. Leaving sections vague: “I’ll use surveys” is not enough. What survey? Measuring what? How many items? Skipping or rushing the snapshot: this is a required component and will be reviewed during your one-on-one. I cannot help you if neither of us are clear on what it is you to hope to do. Not connecting to AA1 and AA2: your question and logic model should carry through into this plan Proposing data you can’t actually access at your placement Ignoring ethical considerations or treating them as a formality Overpromising: proposing something too complex to actually complete this semester Please read all directions and then look at application activity 3 evaluation plan in the files along with my capstone project outline, logic model snapshot, and PowerPoints 8 and 9. Follow this outline exactly how its listed in the application activity 3 evaluation plan thats in the files.