Which evaluation type would best answer whether the program reached its target population as planned?

Which evaluation type would best answer whether the program reached its target population as planned?

• A. Process evaluation
• B. Outcome evaluation
• C. Economic evaluation
• D. Formative evaluation

Answer: (A)

Evaluating whether the program reached the intended group focuses on how the program was delivered and who actually participated. This is the realm of process evaluation. It looks at reach, fidelity, and implementation details—things like how many people from the target population were enrolled, the characteristics of participants, attendance or exposure to the activities, and whether outreach and recruitment worked as planned. By analyzing these implementation details, you can determine if the target population was reached as intended and where any gaps occurred, so adjustments can be made. Outcome evaluation, in contrast, asks whether the program produced the desired effects on health or behavior, not whether the right people were reached. Economic evaluation examines costs and value, while formative evaluation focuses on improving the program during design and feasibility. Therefore, process evaluation is best for answering the question about reaching the target population as planned.

Evaluating whether the program reached the intended group focuses on how the program was delivered and who actually participated. This is the realm of process evaluation. It looks at reach, fidelity, and implementation details—things like how many people from the target population were enrolled, the characteristics of participants, attendance or exposure to the activities, and whether outreach and recruitment worked as planned. By analyzing these implementation details, you can determine if the target population was reached as intended and where any gaps occurred, so adjustments can be made.

Outcome evaluation, in contrast, asks whether the program produced the desired effects on health or behavior, not whether the right people were reached. Economic evaluation examines costs and value, while formative evaluation focuses on improving the program during design and feasibility. Therefore, process evaluation is best for answering the question about reaching the target population as planned.