Federal government to evaluate programs and policies

Sample Solution

   

Rand Corporation

Study 1: Evaluation of the Drug Court Effectiveness Program (DCEP)

Type of evaluation study: Outcome evaluation study

Methods used: Quasi-experimental design with a comparison group

Were the methods appropriate for the evaluation question?

Yes, the quasi-experimental design was appropriate for the evaluation question because the DCEP was a voluntary program and it was not feasible to randomly assign individuals to the program or to a control group. The comparison group was selected to be as similar as possible to the DCEP group in terms of demographic characteristics and risk factors for recidivism.

Full Answer Section

      Was a true experiment used, or was it a quasi-experimental design? A quasi-experimental design was used. Findings: The study found that the DCEP was effective in reducing recidivism among participants. Participants in the DCEP were 26% less likely to be rearrested for a felony offense than participants in the comparison group. Study 2: Evaluation of the Police Assisted Diversion (PAD) Program Type of evaluation study: Process evaluation study Methods used: Document review, interviews with stakeholders, and focus groups Were the methods appropriate for the evaluation question? Yes, the methods used were appropriate for the evaluation question because the goal of the study was to assess the implementation and implementation of the PAD program. The document review allowed the researchers to understand the program design and implementation, and the interviews and focus groups allowed the researchers to get feedback from stakeholders and participants. Was a true experiment used, or was it a quasi-experimental design? A process evaluation study does not require a true experiment or a quasi-experimental design. Findings: The study found that the PAD program was being implemented as intended. The program was successfully diverting low-level offenders from the criminal justice system and connecting them with social services. Abt Associates Study 1: Evaluation of the Safe Streets, Strong Communities Act (SSSCA) Type of evaluation study: Impact evaluation study Methods used: Quasi-experimental design with a comparison group Were the methods appropriate for the evaluation question? Yes, the quasi-experimental design was appropriate for the evaluation question because the SSSCA was a federal program that was implemented in different ways in different communities. The comparison group was selected to be as similar as possible to the SSSCA communities in terms of demographic characteristics and crime rates. Was a true experiment used, or was it a quasi-experimental design? A quasi-experimental design was used. Findings: The study found that the SSSCA was effective in reducing crime. Communities that received SSSCA funding experienced a 10% reduction in crime rates, while communities that did not receive SSSCA funding experienced a 5% increase in crime rates. Study 2: Evaluation of the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC) Program Type of evaluation study: Outcome evaluation study Methods used: True experimental design with random assignment Were the methods appropriate for the evaluation question? Yes, the true experimental design was appropriate for the evaluation question because the goal of the study was to assess the impact of the JDTC program on recidivism. The random assignment ensured that the JDTC group and the comparison group were similar in terms of all relevant characteristics except for participation in the JDTC program. Was a true experiment used, or was it a quasi-experimental design? A true experimental design was used. Findings: The study found that the JDTC program was effective in reducing recidivism among participants. Participants in the JDTC program were 20% less likely to be rearrested for a felony offense than participants in the comparison group. Conclusion Both Rand Corporation and Abt Associates conduct high-quality evaluation research on criminal justice and criminology programs. The studies summarized above provide examples of both outcome evaluation studies and process evaluation studies. The studies also use a variety of research methods, including quasi-experimental designs, true experimental designs, document reviews, interviews, and focus groups.