264307 Integrated Systems of Construct-Oriented Program Evaluation (ISCOPE): A comprehensive method for program evaluation

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Gaurav Dave, MD, DrPH , Department of Public Health Education, UNCG, Greensboro, NC
Virginia Brown, MA, DrPH Candidate , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Holly Sienkiewicz, DrPH Candidate , Dept of Public Health Education, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Joseph Telfair, DrPH, MSW, MPH , Center for Social, Community and Health Research and Evaluation, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Program evaluation is an important tenet of public health education and health promotion. Existing in many different forms, the knowledge gained by evaluation is used to inform current and future health practices, policy decisions and programmatic funding. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that current frameworks are only assessing surface level effects and the results are largely underutilized by decision makers. The Integrated Systems of Construct-Oriented Program Evaluation (ISCOPE) model addresses these issues by re-conceptualizing an existing evaluation framework, the Integrated Model for Community Based Evaluation (IMCBE). Based on years of application of the IMCBE, and experiences in public health evaluation practices, the ISCOPE model allows for use beyond community-based settings, mechanism-based (alternate) explanations for results, and construction of practice-based evidence. Through use of rigorous scientific methods, the ISCOPE model allows the evaluators to streamline formative and summative evaluation activities. Further, the ISCOPE model emphasizes on inductive reasoning to bridge gaps between science and practice in diverse program settings. Finally, the versatility of the model facilitates the development of an evaluator-stakeholder relationship, enabling informed decision making about program improvement, effectiveness and its use. Discussion and recommendations will include current model applications, strategies to incorporate the framework into ongoing health programs and ways it can be adapted to fit individual evaluation needs.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related education
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Identify the importance of a comprehensive program evaluation Describe the four constructs setting up the ISCOPE model Discuss field applications for the ISCOPE model

Keywords: Evaluation, Partnerships

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the main developer of the new model.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.