Program Evaluation

Amy Harder

Jessica Gouldthorpe O'Leary, Jessica L. Gouldthorpe O'Leary, andGlenn D. Israel
Other Contacts: Sebastian Galindo

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.

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

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. 

Kelly Wilson, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Linda M. Seals, David Outerbridge, John Diaz, andPaul 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.

Marlen Barajas Espinosa, Micayla Richardson, Chelsea DeMasters, Jennifer Jones, Jennifer A. Jones, andKimberly 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.

Kirsten Hecht, Lisa Lundgren, Kathryn A. Stofer, andTyus 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.

Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Warner, andHayk Khachatryan

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

Glenn D. Israel
Other Contacts: Sebastian Galindo

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

Glenn D. Israel
Other Contacts: Sebastian Galindo

Perhaps the most frequently asked question concerning sampling is "What size sample do I need?" The answer to this question is influenced by a number of factors, including the purpose of the study, population size, the risk of selecting a "bad" sample, and the allowable sampling error. This paper reviews criteria for specifying a sample size and presents several strategies for determining the sample size.

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.

Glenn D. Israel, David C. Diehl, andSebastian Galindo

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.