Summary
Contents
Subject index
A step by step guide for social work students, Policy Analysis for Social Workers, is a comprehensive guide to help students understand the process of policy development and analysis so they can become effective advocates. This book begins by laying the foundation of the purpose of policy and how it it relates to social work values. It also discusses the field of policy studies and helps students understand the various kinds of analysis. The next section highlights criteria on evaluating public policy by helping students understand how to define policy limits and uses and how they will most likely be used. It clearly lays out various criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, political feasibility, social acceptability, administrative and technical feasibility) to help students evaluate policy. In addition, the book will cover how to write up a proposal and how to assess the costs and benefits. Finally, the book will use several examples of actual policy to help students apply the concepts in practice.
Evaluation, Values, and Theory
Evaluation, Values, and Theory
In this chapter, we examine the relation between values and evaluation, first by presenting a typology of evaluator valuing roles vis-à-vis stakeholders (Alkin, Vo, & Christie, 2012), and second, by discussing two major categories of evaluation models, namely values-distanced evaluation models and values-salient evaluation models (Speer, 2010). We also discuss the role of theory in evaluation and policy analysis, distinguishing explanatory from justificatory or normative theories.
Upon completion of the chapter, students will be able to (1) understand the logic behind making value-related judgments about the merits of performance related program or policy evaluations, and (2) distinguish between and know the appropriate uses of explanatory and normative theories when evaluating program or policy outcomes.
Upon successful completion of the ...
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