Using Evaluability Assessment to Strengthen Evaluation Research: A Case Study of a Prison-based Fatherhood Program

• In Event: Evaluation Methodology across Criminal Justice Programs

Abstract

Over the last decade, criminal justice policy and programming have experienced a rise in the implementation of “evidence-based practices” (EBPs). Although EBPs are endorsed by most, some criminologists have voiced concerns over the varied methodological rigor employed by evaluation researchers, the differing definitions of evidence, and the lack of critical exploration as to why programs may be (in)effective. This article argues that the utilization of evaluability assessment (EA) can be an effective way to answer some of these concerns about outcome evaluations and EBPs. Through a case study of an EA employed on a prison-based fatherhood program, this article demonstrates how EA’s qualitative approach explores programmatic complexities which leads to a more precise understanding of outcome operationalization, and allows for the co-production of knowledge which may assuage program stakeholders’ feelings of alienation during evaluation. Although EA findings may require the creation and validation of novel quantitative measurement tools prior to the outcome evaluation, the benefits of EA found through this case study outweigh its challenges, particularly within a carceral setting.

Author

• Abigail Henson, Temple University