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Program Evaluation Glossary

 

A B C D E F G H
I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V W X, Y, Z


"O"

Objective
Specific results or effects of a program's activities that must be achieved in pursuing the program's ultimate goals
Observation
A data collection strategy in which the activities of subjects are visually examined. The observer attempts to keep his/her presence from interfering in or influencing any behaviors.
Observational Techniques
Data collection strategies which use observation of subjects as a means to collect data. These techniques generally involve attempts by the observer to not alter or change the behavior being observed.
One-group Designs
Research designs which study a single program with no comparison or control group
One-shot Case Study
The one-shot case study involves the measurement of an identified "outcome" after a treatment or program has been implemented. However, there are no measures taken or available for comparison (i.e., status before the program, or outcome of a comparison or control group). Without a comparison measure, there is no means for inferring that the "outcome" was actually influenced by the treatment or program.
Open-ended Interview
An interview in which, after an initial or lead question, subsequent questions are determined by topics brought up by the person being interviewed; the concerns discussed, their sequence, and specific information obtained are not predetermined and the discussion is unconstrained, able to move in unexpected directions.
Open-ended Question
A question that does not have a set of possible answers from which to make a selection but permits the respondent to answer in essay form. On a questionnaire, the respondent would write an essay or short answer or fill in a blank. During an interview, the respondent would give the interviewer an unstructured, narrative answer. The interviewer would record the response verbatim or select salient features. If a structured interview were used, a question might appear to be open-ended to the interviewee but could be "closed down" by the interviewer, who would have a set of alternative answers to check.
Operational Definition
Detailed description of how a concept or variable will be measured and how values will be assigned.
Operationalize
To define a concept in a way that can be measured. In evaluation research, to translate program inputs, outputs, objectives, and goals into specific measurable variables.
Operational Plan
A tactical statement of when and what critical milestones must be passed to attain objectives programmed for a specific period.
Opportunity Costs
The value of opportunities forgone because of an intervention program.
Ordinal Scale Data
Data classified into exhaustive, mutually exclusive, and ordered or ranked categories.
Ordinal Variable
A quantitative variable whose attributes are ordered but for which the numerical differences between adjacent attributes are not necessarily interpreted as equal.
Outcome
Changes or benefits resulting from activities and outputs. Short-term outcomes produce changes in learning, knowledge, attitude, skills or understanding. Intermediate outcomes generate changes in behavior, practice or decisions. Long-term outcomes produce changes in condition.

Outcome Evaluation
This form of evaluation assesses the extent to which a program achieves its outcome-oriented objectives. It focuses on outputs and outcomes (including unintended effects) to judge program effectiveness but may also assess program process to understand how outcomes are produced.

Outlier
Instances that are aberrant or do not fit with other instances: instances that, compared to other members of a population, are at the extremes on relevant dimensions.
Output
Product or service delivery/implementation targets you aim to produce.
Outside Evaluator
An evaluator not affiliated with the agency prior to the program evaluation. Also known as third-party evaluator.

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