Impact Analysis for Program Evaluation

One of the most important activities in programme evaluation is impact analysis: estimation of the difference between observed programme results and the results that would have occurred in the absence of the programme. Aimed at enhancing student and practitioner understanding of research design, threats to valid inference, and ways to improve the utility of the evaluation results, Mohr′s book offers unique coverage of systematic ways to find the proper goals in single and multiple outcome evaluations.

Assuming some knowledge of regression analysis, Mohr explores such issues as: the interpretation of research designs within a consistent framework of regression analysis; the random-comparison group design as an improvement over the traditional comparative-change design; how to use outcome lines to determine the best questions to ask about programme impact; statistical significance′s weak relevance to and often improper use in programme evaluation; and how to develop theories to guide programmes and their evaluation.

Professor Mohr is currently working on a theoretical paper in program evaluation called An Exploration in the Theory of Valuing and a research monograph called The Impacts of Sponsored Research Dollars on Academic Institutions. The next project will be an edited volume with critique called The Case Study As a Research Design in Social Science.