One of the articles of your choice

Instructions Objective: Understand and explain the purpose and process of program evaluation Program Outcome: Develop in our students the ability to form critical judgments that support democratic values. Core Competency: To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions. Based on Chapters 1 [Mini-project 3] and 14: Use one of the articles contained under the Articles for Assignment 1 tab. Briefly describe what the key variables are and how key variables were operationally defined in the study, how the program’s success (and/or what the main variable being examined is-The Dependent Variable) was measured, and the role of theory in the evaluation. Note: If you choose to use your own article, you must clear it with the instructor first. The article must be an example of a program evaluation study published in a professional [academic] journal (No Newspapers, or Web-based News, etc.) ASSIGNMENT 1.1 HELP: The paper will be approximately one page and single spaced including these elements (identified using appropriate headings): Reference Citation: Provide appropriately APA formatted reference citation for the article being reviewed. Name: Your Name Date: Date assignment submitted Program Description: In a single sentence, identify the program. Does the program fit the Royse, Thyer, and Padgett definition of a program? Explain in two-three concise sentences. Role of Theory (single short paragraph): Rodgers (2014) explained the purpose of a theory of change. In two-three sentences, explain how (or if) the evaluated program was based on a theory of change. Evaluation purpose: Is the article you have selected to review a form of program evaluation? Explain using the definition of program evaluation provided by Royse, Thyer, and Padgett. (Hint: The three - five sentence explanation needs to include the definition of program evaluation.) Variables of interest: The operational definition identifies a specific element of a broader concept and establishes how the element will be measured. The independent variable is the phenomenon that is causing the change in the dependent variable. In the context of program evaluation, the independent variable is a measure of the program. Provide the operational definition of the independent variable (cite exact page where the operational definition can be found). The dependent variable is the outcome whose value changes based on the change in the independent variable (program). Provide the operational definition of the dependent variable (cite page where the operational definition can be found). Key Finding (one sentence): Given the theory of change, what is the single most important finding? Methodological Critique (one short paragraph): How is the evaluation consistent with the philosophical assumptions of program evaluation? Use two key philosophical assumptions identified by Royse et al.