| Session Title: Evaluating the Impact of Training Programs: Simple Surveys are not Enough! |
| Expert Lecture Session 605 to be held in California C on Friday, Nov 4, 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Sponsored by the AEA Conference Committee |
| Chair(s): |
| Chanson Noether, Policy Research Associates, CNoether@prainc.com |
| Presenter(s): |
| Chanson Noether, Policy Research Associates, CNoether@prainc.com |
| Abstract: All too often evaluations of training programs utilize "customer satisfaction" or "reaction" measures as the primary (or sole) tool for assessing the "effectiveness" of a particular training curriculum. This technique is often woefully inadequate, and does not allow the evaluator to fully understand the true impact of the training program on its participants and the systems in which they operate. In this session, a comprehensive evaluation methodology that was developed to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of two NIMH-funded training curriculum development projects will be presented. Integral to the design of this evaluation is the assessment of short-term and long-term impact at both the individual and systems-level using a multi-modal data collection strategy. |