Program Evaluation

Measuring the Effectiveness of Lagoon Quest: A Case Study in Environmental Education Program Evaluation

Judith Chen-Hsuan Cheng, Martha C. Monroe, and Alison Gordon

Circular 1528, a 33-page full-color report by Judith Chen-Hsuan Cheng, Martha C. Monroe, and Alison Gordon, is a report of the evaluation of the second year of implementing Lagoon Quest in Brevard County, Florida and also a case study of program evaluation, intended to illustrate the program evaluation process and help extension agents and others improve their educational activities. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation.

Evaluation Situations, Stakeholders & Strategies

Glenn Israel, David Diehl, and Sebastian Galindo-Gonzalez

Using the TOP Model to Measure Program Performance: A Pocket Reference

Amy Harder

Capturing Change: Comparing Pretest-Posttest and Retrospective Evaluation Methods

Jessica L. O'Leary and Glenn D. Israel

Program Evaluation Challenges for Early-Career Extension Professionals: What Can You Do to Reduce the Stress?

John M. Diaz and Laura A. Warner

The purpose of this article is to outline meaningful strategies to overcome program evaluation challenges that early-career Extension professionals face. The strategies outlined in this article are grounded in the experiences of Extension professionals in three states (Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania). In order to provide a manageable framework for agents to use, these strategies center on providing solutions to the challenges that newer Extension professionals felt were the most important to address.

Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Programs: Measuring Success in Your BRE Program

Derek Farnsworth, Jennifer L. Clark, and Henry M. Cothran

Phases of Data Analysis

Glenn D. Israel

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. This document outlines the phases of data analysis for evaluating Extension programs, emphasizing the importance of tailoring the process to available resources and evaluation rigor. It covers steps such as screening data for errors, selecting key impact indicators, measuring and testing changes, comparing participant groups, and elaborating program impacts using statistical techniques. The goal is to enhance the credibility of findings and improve program effectiveness through rigorous analysis and collaboration among Extension professionals. Original publication date September 1992. 

Ripple Effects Mapping for Extension Program Evaluation

Kelly Wilson, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Linda Seals, David Outerbridge, John Diaz, and Paul Monaghan

This publication introduces Extension agents to Ripple Effects Mapping (REM), encourages them to continue exploring the methodology, and promotes collaboration with agents currently using it to learn more about ways to apply it to their own work. This guide explains the four key components of REM, describes the steps to conduct REM for Extension program evaluation, and demonstrates a real-life example of the use of REM in an Extension program. Written by Kelly Wilson, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Linda Seals, David Outerbridge, John Diaz, and Paul Monaghan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2025.

Conducting a Process Evaluation in Nonprofit and Governmental Programs

Marlen Barajas Espinosa, Micayla Richardson, Chelsea DeMasters, Jennifer Jones, and Kimberly K. Wiley

The purpose of a program evaluation is to assess a program’s performance. This article explains how to (1) identify which type of failure nonprofit organizations may be facing, (2) choose the right evaluation tool in order to determine the specific problem, (3) interpret process evaluation results, and (4) use the evaluation findings for continuous program improvement. Written by Marlen Barajas Espinosa, Micayla Richardson, Chelsea DeMasters, Jennifer A. Jones, and Kimberly Wiley, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, May 2022.

Using Social Media to Engage Communities with Research: Evaluating Your Success

Kirsten Hecht, Lisa Lundgren, Kathryn A. Stofer, and Tyus D. Williams

This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication focuses on methods and tools for evaluating the success of your social media engagement. It is part of a series on using social media for engaging with the public about research, titled Using Social Media to Engage Communities with Research. Written by Kirsten Hecht, Lisa Lundgren, Kathryn A. Stofer, and Tyus D. Williams.

Sampling the Evidence of Extension Program Impact

Glenn D. Israel

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Estimating Return on Investment (ROI) for a Behavior Change: An Evaluation Tool for Extension Programs

Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Warner, and Hayk Khachatryan

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Elaborating Program Impacts through Data Analysis

Glenn D. Israel

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. This document explains how to analyze Extension program impacts using multivariate statistical techniques. It outlines phases of data analysis, including identifying data errors, assessing changes in impact indicators, and examining relationships between program participation and outcomes. The paper emphasizes the role of contextual variables in clarifying or distorting program effects and introduces concepts such as spurious, conditional, distorter, and suppressor relationships. By incorporating these variables, evaluators can avoid misleading conclusions and improve the validity of their findings. Publication date: September 1992.