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GOAL-ORIENTED APPROACH TO EVALUATION - CRITIQUE AND CASE STUDY FROM DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT

NCJ Number
48101
Journal
JOURNAL OF EVALUATION AND PLANNING Volume: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 41-49
Author(s)
J C MARSH
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES FOR SETTING AND MONITORING GOALS DEVELOPED BY A COMMUNITY-BASED METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR HEROIN-ADDICTED WOMEN IN DETROIT, MICH., ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM'S GOAL-SETTING AND MONITORING APPROACH INVOLVES THREE STEPS: (1) PROVIDING PROGRAM STAFF WITH MATERIALS DESCRIBING THE PURPOSE OF GOALS AND TECHNIQUES FOR SETTING OBJECTIVE, MEASURABLE GOALS; (2) ASSESSING STAFF-IDENTIFIED GOALS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AS SET FORTH BY OTHER GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS (PROGRAM FOUNDERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, FUNDING SOURCES) WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE PROGRAM; AND (3) MONITORING GOAL ACHIEVEMENT TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK FOR PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES. THE ADVANTAGES OF THE GOAL-ORIENTED APPROACH ARE THE FOLLOWING: GOALS MAY BE TAILORED TO STAGES OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT; PROGRAM-DETERMINED GOALS REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF EVALUATOR BIAS; GOAL SETTING HAS BENEFICIAL BY-PRODUCTS FOR THE PROGRAM (E.G., CLARIFYING PROGRAM PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS); AND GOAL SETTING MAY BE INCORPORATED INTO PROGRAM FUNCTIONING. LIMITATIONS OF THE APPROACH ARE THAT STATED GOALS MAY NOT BE REAL GOALS, THAT UNINTENDED OUTCOMES MAY BE IGNORED, THAT CROSS-PROGRAM COMPARISONS MAY BE LIMITED, AND THAT THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATION MAY NOT BE MEASURED. DETAILS OF THE THREE STEPS IN THE GOAL-ORIENTED APPROACH ARE PRESENTED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)