This 30 page document provides a quick and efficient look at key issues in program evaluation of worksite wellness and health promotion programs.  It includes discussion of a number of key issues and is a helpful reference in establishing your own approach to program evaluation.  The table of contents includes:

PURPOSE, SCOPE AND FORMAT …………………………………………………………………  1

IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATION …………………………………………………………………..  1

TYPES OF EVALUATION ……………………………………………………………………………….  1

Structure Evaluation …………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

Process Evaluation ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

Outcome Evaluation  ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 2

Interrelationship of Variables …………………………………………………………………………….. 2

Qualitative versus Quantitative Evaluation ……………………………………………………….. 2

SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS ………………………………………………………………  3

Program Budgets ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

HRA participation …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Tobacco Cessation Rates …………………………………………………………………………………. 4

Medical Care Cost and Absenteeism Reduction ……………………………………………… 4

Other program outcomes ………………………………………………………………………………… 4

METHODOLOGY FOR OUTCOMES EVALUATION ………………………………………….  6

Study Structure …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Posttest Only ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..  6

Pretest/Posttest ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….  6

Pretest/Posttest Structure with a Comparison Group  …………………………………………………  6

Experimental Design  …………………………………………………………………………………………………  7

Solomon Four Group ………………………………………………………………………………………………….  7

Time Series or Longitudinal Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………  7

Measures………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8

Validity ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  8

Reliability ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….  10

Study Sample …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

Representative ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..  13

Size  …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  13

Analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14

TYPICAL EVALUATION STRATEGIES …………………………………………………………….  15

No Evaluation Efforts……………………………………………………………………………………….. 15

Compare Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Over time …………………………………………. 15

In-depth, longitudinal analysis.  ………………………………………………………………………. 15

REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………………………………….  21

 

Excellent quick reference on program evaluation.