Program Evaluation

Social and Behavioral Human Subjects Research vs. Program Evaluation
Feature	Social and Behavioral Human Subjects Research	Program Evaluation
Purpose	To test a hypothesis or answer a research question To advance general knowledge in the academic, scientific or professional community To fill gaps in current literature	To improve a program, practice or process To judge a program’s effectiveness To judge a program’s merit or worth To provide information for and about a specific program
Motivation	Intellectual curiosity To answer scientific questions To advance broad knowledge and theory To portray individuals, groups or societies involved	Program mandate Program decision-making
Initiator	Investigator/scientist	Program stakeholders
Study Question	How does it work?	How well does it work?
Focus	On subjects	On program
Results	Not generally expected to directly or immediately affect subjects Generate new research questions	Expected to directly affect program practice or conduct Identify improvements
Dissemination of Results	Expectation to present or publish in scholarly forum or publication	Present to program stakeholders May present or publish widely to suggest potentially effective models and strategies, or provide benchmarks