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Determining a more complete program valuation: integrating tools from program theory and economics to better inform program decisions

Horr, Everetta Elaine Taylor
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187027259

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Natural Resources.
As funding for organizations and agencies continues to become more difficult to obtain, the need to validate the efficacy and value of their programming to various stakeholders in order to justify the program’s existence becomes more critical. The program, having been designed utilizing program theory, is evaluated, with the results determining the program efficacy. Administrative decisions regarding the future support of the program are based on the program efficacy. Thus, the program efficacy drives the decisions made on the various aspects of the program, including whether or not to continue supporting the program if the program efficacy is found to be minimal. Once administrative decisions are made as to the support of the program, the cycle continues. In environmental education programs, behavioral outcomes are equally important to cognitive outcomes and are an important element of determining program efficacy. It is common for behavioral outcomes to refer to individual behaviors. When the individual behaviors are transformed to collective conservation actions, the effects of the outcomes are magnified. If the collective conservation actions are utilized in the process of determining program efficacy, the result would likely be a more complete program valuation. Traditional cost-effectiveness methods have long been used to justify the value of programs with easily identified outcomes. More recently developed econometric methods attempt to place a dollar market value on less easily identified program outcomes, but have not always been successful, reflecting an incomplete valuation of the program. A technique (Gap Technique) was developed in this study with the intention to better understand and implement program aspects that contribute to and influence decisions made by administrators. The Gap Technique brings together elements of program theory, program evaluation, elements of various economic budget theories, and the determination of program efficacy. Thus, the Gap Technique bridges the gap between program theory and economic methods by using tools from each and incorporating them into one process. The Shorebirds Sister Schools Program was chosen as the case for use in this study program.
Joe Heimlich (Advisor)
216 p.
program evaluation; program valuation; program theory; environmental education; Shorebird Sister Schools Program

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Horr, E. E. T. (2007). Determining a more complete program valuation: integrating tools from program theory and economics to better inform program decisions [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187027259

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Horr, Everetta. Determining a more complete program valuation: integrating tools from program theory and economics to better inform program decisions. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187027259.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Horr, Everetta. "Determining a more complete program valuation: integrating tools from program theory and economics to better inform program decisions." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187027259

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1187027259
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.