Assignment Designing A Plan For Outcome Evaluationsocial Workers Can ✓ Solved
Assignment: Designing a Plan for Outcome Evaluation Social workers can apply knowledge and skills learned from conducting one type of evaluation to others. Moreover, evaluations themselves can inform and com`plement each other throughout the life of a program. This week, you apply all that you have learned about program evaluation throughout this course to aid you in program evaluation. To prepare for this Assignment, review “Basic Guide to Program Evaluation (Including Outcomes Evaluation)†from this week’s resources, Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year.
Retrieved from , especially the sections titled “Outcomes-Based Evaluation†and “Contents of an Evaluation Plan.†Then, select a program that you would like to evaluate. You should build on work that you have done in previous assignments, but be sure to self-cite any written work that you have already submitted. Complete as many areas of the “Contents of an Evaluation Plan†as possible, leaving out items that assume you have already collected and analyzed the data. By Day 7 Submit a 4- to 5-page paper that outlines a plan for a program evaluation focused on outcomes. Be specific and elaborate.
Include the following information: · The purpose of the evaluation, including specific questions to be answered · The outcomes to be evaluated · The indicators or instruments to be used to measure those outcomes, including the strengths and limitations of those measures to be used to evaluate the outcomes · A rationale for selecting among the six group research designs · The methods for collecting, organizing and analyzing data ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 4 Annotated Bibliography Annotated Bibliography Kaplan, Y., Barak, Y., Palmonovich, E., Nyska, M., & Witvrouw, E. (2014). Referent body weight values in over ground walking, over ground jogging, treadmill jogging, and elliptical exercise. Gait & posture , 39 (1), .
This journal has focused on the different forms of exercise which cut across from the ground walking to the jogging exercise, treadmill jogging as well as the elliptical. This helps to explain the different ways that one can use to lose weight as well as how fast that can happen. The research was used on different people to see the effects of exercise on the loss of weight. The research has to make sure the exercise cannot lead to complications and hence made sure the participants are almost the same average weight. The data is recorded and it shows the group of the jogger lost averagely two kilograms, compared to running which does not burn as more fats as jogging.
This recommended the jogging exercise as the most suitable exercise to lose weight compared to running. Pickering, T. G. (1979). Jogging, marathon running and the heart. The American journal of medicine , 66 (5), .
This journal has been used by Pickering as the author to examine the different cults that are used by the American people in the hopes that they will help them to lose weight as well as help them in the situation of getting heart diseases that are related to being overweight. According to the author of the journal, the more the activities of the works that one does, then the higher the chances of buying more and more calories from their bodies. The reason behind this is because they need more energy to do their exercise, this means they are less likely to make or lose calories when they are jogging the same time and the distance and it depends on the weight they have. Running tires one than jogging a hence less distance will need to be covered.
The author has concluded jogging continuously will make someone lose more weight than running and hence reduction of the chances of heart diseases. Rectal temperatures, weight losses, and sweat rates in marathon running. | Journal of Applied Physiology. (n.d.). Retrieved from The journal has focused more on the effects of running on the weight and what happens when one is running and how they lose weight. The author has covered the impact of running in a marathon as the athletes run for forty-two kilometers for slightly above two hours' time. The author has shown the impacts of breathing on better breathing and oxygen that makes the body have elevated rates of respiration.
This makes the body have a better food synthesizing process that releases the energy for the body. Other than just breaking down the glucose the fats are broke down and make the body lose weight in a great percentage. Other than the weight, the author has explained water and salts are lost from the body during running the body temperature is raised and introduces the need for the body to cool down and hence the body used the excess water and the fats to cool the body down. How Much Running for Weight Loss? Beginners Advice on the Best Running Routine for Fitness & Weight Loss. (n.d.).
Retrieved from The source has been used by the author to expound on the issue of weight loss brought about by running and jogging. It has been used to compare the two exercises in depth. The journal has been used to show the guide of the entire process of jogging exercise and how it can help us lose weight. The issue of losing weight is not something that the individual should focus on but should just take their time in the exercise and the results will be evident after some time. The article states jogging and running are both good exercises and they can make some lose up to 1500 calories when they do it for a mile?
The author has recommended jogging as the best was to help lose weight than running. The article has further discussed the weight loss through running and joining it with jogging this has been proved to be very tedious since it has to be done for long-distance. More so, the author states even the trained athletes can run for miles and end up starving themselves. Brunt, E. M. (2016).
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: pros and cons of histologic systems of evaluation. International journal of molecular sciences , 17 (1), 97. When one decides to use the weight lifting exercise to lose weight then they have to involve the brain which sends the messages to the muscle and the nerves. The author has used the article to expound on the process that takes place when the muscle is moving they stimulate blood transportation as the rhythmic contraction makes the muscle to be free. When the individual is doing exercise through weights, the author has explained the need to focus on the exercise other than the results.
More so, aerobic weight training is the process that enhances the fiber and the myoglobin which all allows the oxygen to be moved to the muscles. There are higher chances that one will be able to fight muscle diseases and the other case of muscle pull that occurs in sportsmen. Kindermann, W., & Scharhag, J. (2016). High-Level Endurance Exercise: Are All Potential'Cons' Justified?. Sports Medicine , 46 (8), 1191.
Throughout the life of the lifter the muscle is always building up, the author has used the journal to explain the dismantling of the bones and the tissues that are involved. The bones are made of different elements that determine how one will be able to go through the exercise effectively. Calcium, for instance, can be used for different roles and in the bones. The bones at infancy are different from the mature people, the bone density helps to make the weight lifting exercise better and improved. This helps to offer the resistance of the individual from getting bruises as well as get along with the other normal activities.
The healthy bones are able to protect the other internal organs. The author has explained how healthy bones can be used to shield the person against osteoporosis as it affects the bone's energy. Myers, A. M., Beam, N. W., & Fakhoury, J.
D. (2017). Resistance training for children and adolescents. Translational pediatrics , 6 (3), 137. The journal has addressed the issue of children who are becoming more into an exercise in the schools or even in the community. The attention has been stated to be given onto the proper training as well as conditioning them to maximize the performance which also stimulates athletic performance.
The author has addressed the issue of resistance training (RT) which is the methodology to make sure there is optimal performance through proper training. The proper training amount the children are associated with the benefits they have to improve their strength and lower the rates of the injuries they get. This helps to give them the chance to improve and give them the interest to exercise in the future.
Paper for above instructions
Designing a Plan for Outcome Evaluation in Social Work ProgramsIntroduction
Program evaluation is critical in social work, where practitioners strive to assess the effectiveness of their interventions, programs, and practices. By systematically evaluating ongoing programs, social workers can identify areas of improvement, ensure accountability, and maximize resource allocation. This assignment focuses on designing an outcome evaluation plan for a hypothetical program aimed at enhancing mental health support services for adolescents in urban communities. This program, referred to as "Youth Mental Health Empowerment Initiative" (YMHEI), is designed to provide access to mental health resources, workshops, and counseling services.
Purpose of the Evaluation
The primary purpose of the evaluation is to assess whether YMHEI effectively improves the mental health outcomes of participating adolescents. Specifically, the evaluation aims to answer the following questions:
1. To what extent does participation in YMHEI lead to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents?
2. Are there significant improvements in participants' coping strategies and overall resilience?
3. How does knowledge of mental health issues change among participants after engaging in the program?
By answering these questions, the evaluation will determine the program's efficacy, inform future improvements, and justify ongoing funding and support.
Outcomes to Be Evaluated
The evaluation will focus on several key outcomes:
1. Reduction in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Measured using standardized scales (e.g., the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale [GAD-7] and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]).
2. Improvement in Coping Strategies: Assessed through the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), which measures how effectively adolescents apply positive coping mechanisms in stressful situations.
3. Increased Mental Health Literacy: Evaluated via a pre-and post-assessment survey that gauges participants' knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, stigma, and available resources.
Indicators or Instruments for Measuring Outcomes
To evaluate the outcomes listed above, the following instruments will be utilized:
1. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 Scales:
- Strengths: These instruments are validated and reliable for measuring anxiety and depression symptoms. They provide quantitative data that can demonstrate changes over time.
- Limitations: These self-report measures can be subject to response bias and may not capture the full spectrum of mental health challenges faced by participants.
2. Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI):
- Strengths: The CSI offers specific insights into the types of coping strategies adolescents use, allowing for targeted interventions.
- Limitations: It relies on subjective self-reporting, which may not always accurately reflect actual behavior.
3. Pre-and Post-Assessment Surveys:
- Strengths: By assessing changes in mental health literacy, the program can determine the effectiveness of educational components.
- Limitations: Survey results may be influenced by participants' desire to provide socially acceptable responses.
Rationale for Selecting Research Designs
For this evaluation, a quasi-experimental repeated-measures design will be employed. This design allows for the comparison of pre-and post-intervention data from the same participants, enhancing the ability to attribute changes in outcomes directly to the program. Unlike randomized controlled trials, which can be resource-intensive and logistically challenging, a quasi-experimental approach is more feasible in a community-based setting.
Using repeated measures on the same group reduces the variability introduced by individual differences and allows for a clearer interpretation of the program's impact over time.
Methods for Collecting, Organizing, and Analyzing Data
Data Collection
1. Surveys:
- Administer pre-and post-intervention surveys to evaluate self-reported anxiety, depression, coping strategies, and mental health literacy.
2. Focus Groups:
- Conduct focus group discussions with participants to gain qualitative insights into their program experiences and perceptions of intervention effectiveness.
3. Interviews:
- Individual interviews with mental health professionals involved in the YMHEI program to assess perceived outcomes and areas for improvement.
Data Organization
Data will be organized using quantitative coding for survey results and qualitative transcription for focus groups and interviews. Creating a database (using software like SPSS or Excel) will streamline the inclusion of multiple datasets and enable effective manipulation for analysis.
Data Analysis
1. Quantitative Analysis:
- Use statistical methods (e.g., paired t-tests) to compare pre-and post-intervention data, assessing whether changes in anxiety, depression, and coping strategies are statistically significant.
2. Qualitative Analysis:
- Conduct thematic analysis on focus group and interview transcripts, identifying recurring themes regarding program experiences and barriers to mental health support.
3. Integration of Results:
- Combine qualitative and quantitative findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of program effectiveness and areas needing refinement.
Conclusion
Designing a robust evaluation plan for the Youth Mental Health Empowerment Initiative is essential for validating the impact of the program on adolescent mental health outcomes. By systematically answering specific research questions, utilizing valid measurement tools, selecting appropriate research designs, and employing comprehensive data collection and analysis methods, the evaluation will provide valuable insights into the program’s effectiveness. Ultimately, this evaluation can guide future enhancements to the program, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of vulnerable adolescents in urban communities.
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References
1. Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Youth mental health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data/statistics/index.htm
3. American Psychological Association. (2021). Stress in America: A national mental health crisis. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/stress-america-2021
4. Weist, M. D., & Sassone, A. J. (2014). School mental health services and mental health disparities: A review of the empirical literature. School Mental Health, 6(3), 103-118.
5. Hughes, K. K., & Gallagher, S. K. (2019). A systematic review of school-based mental health service outcomes for children. Psychology in the Schools, 56(6), 849-864.
6. Evans, R. J., & Davila, E. M. (2016). The role of school based mental health services in children: The case for a proactive approach. In Promoting mental wellness in children and youth: A public health approach (pp. 47-68).
7. Arora, M., & Tiwari, S. C. (2020). Role of mental health literacy in reducing stigma of mental illnesses. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 14(1), Article 16.
8. Wenzel, A., & Brown, G. K. (2014). Assessing adolescent coping: The role of school-based mental health providers. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 2(2), 101-112.
9. Kauffman, J. M. (2016). Strategies for effective school-based mental health services. Education and Treatment of Children, 39(2), 215-221.
10. McLeod, J., & O'Leary, P. (2016). The effectiveness of peer support for young adolescents with mental health issues: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 47, 35-50.
This evaluation plan is intended as a foundational approach to assessing YMHEI's impact on adolescent mental health and can be adapted based on the specific context and resources available in practice.