| Session Title: Measuring and Assessing Costs: Why All the Resistance? |
| Think Tank Session 776 to be held in Wekiwa 4 on Saturday, Nov 14, 10:55 AM to 11:40 AM |
| Sponsored by the Costs, Effectiveness, Benefits, and Economics TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Brian Yates, American University, brian.yates@mac.com |
| Discussant(s): |
| Sarah Hornack, American University, sarah.hornack@gmail.com |
| Jose Hermida, American University, hermidaj@gmail.com |
| Jennifer Cintron, American University, cintron.jenny@gmail.com |
| Abstract: In the field of program evaluation, those suggesting that cost analysis should be invariably included in the evaluation process are often met with opposition. This may be due to the misconception that cost analysis is strictly about monetary resources, when actually all are typically considered (temporal, material, spatial, transportation, communication, financing). Additionally, in this economic climate, it is understandable that there is some anxiety surrounding the idea that one's program may not deem cost-beneficial and lose precarious funding. On the other hand, because of the current financial situation and stimulus package objectives, it may be to a program's advantage monetarily to demonstrate the cost utility of their design. The primary aim of the Think Tank is to incite discussion surrounding the resistance to measuring costs and brainstorm with fellow evaluators the possibilities for making this type of assessment less taboo. |