EVALUATION CONCEPT PAPER

A concept paper for an evaluation includes the following elements: background to the program, policy, or law; its logic model, the overall design for the evaluation, the purpose of evaluation, justification for the evaluation, a measurement plan for the goals or outcomes, and expected products. If documents are cited, references will also be needed.

Background. The background should be a one paragraph summary of what the program is and the agency or organization in which it is located. Important history leading to this program should be mentioned.

Logic Model. The logic model (sometimes called program theory or program model) describes the the goals of the program; its inputs, activities, and immediate outcomes. In narrative form, this will often need several paragraphs. It if often displayed in a table format.

Evaluation Design. This is an overview of how the researcher proposes to evaluate the implementation or outcomes of the program. It should mention the research design, the data collection procedures, and to whom they will be applied. This will usually take several paragraphs.

Purpose of Evaluation. This should say whether the evaluation will study the implementation or outcomes and whether it is intended to meet any programmatic, contractual, or statutory requirements for the program. This will usually be only one paragraph

Justification of the Evaluation. If the program will meet any optional needs or wishes not mentioned in the purpose section, they should be mentioned here. This will usually be only one paragraph. Not every concept paper will have this section.

Measurement Plan. The measurement plan should summarize how the major goals, outcomes, inputs, and activities will be measured and how the data for each measure will be collected. This could be presented in a single chart or table or in three or four paragraphs of narrative.

Products. This summarizes the documents or other products to be produced. You might have several products produced at various points in the study. This allows more even distribution of the work, documentation of progress, and uniform payments if the contract only pays for products.

References. These are needed only if you cite specific sources. Give complete references in a standard format.

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