TOPICS COMMONLY SUBJECTED TO EVALUATION RESEARCH
 

    Evaluation research is appropriate whenever a social intervention has been instituted for the purpose of bringing about some change.  Evaluation research, also known as program evaluation, is designed to determine whether the purpose was realized.

    Often, this process begins with the identification of some social problem: spousal abuse, for example.  A program is designed to reduce it.  Evaluation research determines whether the program was successful.

    Whereas the earlier chapters in Part Three of the text focus on different ways of doing research, this one deals with the reason.  Evaluation research can be conducted via any of the data collection methods previously discussed: experiments, surveys, field reearch, etc.