Isolation of results: defining the impact of the program

This book addresses the most critical challenge facing evaluators: isolating the effects of the solution from other influences. The techniques are presented beginning with the most credible, rigorous approaches and moving to the moresubjective approaches. The weakest technique (which is using estimates) is made as credible as possible. Consequently, almost 20% of the book is devoted tousing estimates, including clear and proven steps for increasing the reliability and validity of the estimation process. INDICE: Acknowledgments. Principles of the ROI Methodology. 1. The Importance of Isolating the Effects of Programs. Challenges in Understanding a Program's Impact. Case Study: What Caused the Improvement? Preliminary Issues in Isolating Program Effects. Pager: Please do not italicize the Contents H1 items or the sublists to this level. The Need to Isolate Program Effects. Chain of Impact: Initial Evidence of Program Effects. Identification of Factors Other Than the Program: A First Step. Final Thoughts. 2. Use of Control Groups. ControlGroup Design. Threats to Validity. Basic Control Group Design. Ideal Experimental Design. Posttest-Only Control Group Design. Which Design to Choose. Issues When Considering Control Groups. Viability. Practicality. Ethicial Considerations. Problems with Control Groups: A Case Example. Feasibility. Control Group Example 1: Retail Merchandise Company. Setting. Audience. Solution. MeasuresThat Matter. Selection Criteria. Size of Groups. Duration of Experiment. Control Group Example 2: Federal Information Agency. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Selection Criteria. Size of Groups. Duration of Experiment. Control Group Example 3: Midwest Electric, Inc. Setting. Needs Assessment.Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Selection Criteria. Size of Groups.Duration of Experiment. Control Group Example 4: International Software Company. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Selection Criteria. Size of Groups. Duration of Experiment. Final Thoughts. 3. Use of Trend Lines andForecasts. Trend Lines. Forecasts. Trend Line Analysis Example 1: Micro Electronics. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Conditions Test. Trend Line Analysis Example 2: Healthcare, Inc. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Conditions Test. Trend Line Analysis Example 3: National Book Company. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures That Matter. Conditions Test. Final Thoughts. 4. Use of Expert Estimates. Participants Estimates of Program Impact. Using Focus Groups to Obtain Participant Estimates. Using Questionnaires to Obtain Participant Estimates. Using Interviews to Obtain Participant Estimates. Advantages and Disadvantages of Participant Estimates. Case Study. Pager: Please style the following items as a sublist to the previous list. Setting. Audience. Solution. Measures. Estimates Provided. Credibility Check. Methodology. Pager: End of sublist. Immediate Managers Estimates of Program Impact. Senior Managements Estimates of Program Impact. Customers? Estimates of Program Impact. Experts Estimates of Program Impact. Determining the Impact of Other Factors. Estimate Example 1: Global Financial Services. Setting. Audience and Solution. Measures. Estimates Provided. Estimate Example 2: Cracker Box. Setting. Audience and Solution. Measures. Estimates Provided. Estimate Example 3: Public Bank of Malaysia. Setting. Audience and Solution. Measure. Estimates Provided. Estimate Example 4: Multi-National, Inc. Setting. Audience, Solution, and Measures. Estimates Provided. The Power of Estimates. Research. A Demonstration. Participant Reaction. Management Reaction. The Wisdom of Crowds. Key Issues in Using Estimates. Final Thoughts. 5. Use of Isolation Techniques. Matching Exercise: Isolating the Effects of a Program. Case Study. National Computer Company, Part A. Pager: Please style the following items as a sublist. Questions for Discussion. Responses. Pager: End of sublist. National Computer Company, Part B. Pager: Please style the following items as a sublist. Questions for Discussion. Responses. Pager: End of sublist. National Computer Company, Part C. Pager: Please style the following items as a sublist. Questions for Discussion. Responses. Pager: End of sublist. National Computer Company, Part D. Pager: Please style the following items as a sublist. Questions for Discussion. Responses. Pager: End of sublist. Why Isolation Is a Key Issue. Other Factors Are Always There. Without It, There Is No Business Link: Evidence Versus Proof. Other Factors and Influences Have Protective Owners. To Do It Right Is NotEasy. Without It, the Study Is Not Valid. Isolation Myths. Build Credibility with the Isolation Process. Selecting the Technique. Using Multiple Methods. Building Credibility. Final Thoughts. Index. About the Authors.

• ISBN: 978-0-7879-8719-0
• Editorial: Jossey Bass
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 160
• Fecha Publicación: 20/02/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés