Social workers recognize that evaluation is a valuable component of working with individuals, families, groups, constituencies, and communities. In order to increase the effectiveness of interventions, it is essential to measure impact and the change that results. The process of evaluating can have an impact on service delivery and policy. Social workers are able to apply their knowledge of human behavior and the social environment to data collected and decisions made from evaluations. When evaluating, social workers know how to utilize the qualitative and quantitative approach.
9A – Select evidence-based evaluation strategies according to their efficacy with specific client systems.
In Advanced Administration Practice: Administration/Leadership, I had to learn about and practice selecting evidence-based elevation strategies. I worked with two classmates on a semester long project where we worked on many of the necessary steps to creating an organization. As a part of this project, we had to select strategies to evaluate employees and volunteers (p. 23-26). The values of service and competence were demonstrated in that choosing a method of evaluation for employees and volunteers is a part of prioritizing the quality of service to clients and ensuring that those providing services are competent to do so.
As a part of my field experience, I chose to use a pretest and posttest with the Independent Living Group that I was leading. I selected the Casey Life Skills Assessment to utilize for the pretest and posttest. The plan was originally to administer the pretest at the first group and the posttest at the last group. However, I unexpectedly was unable to return for four months due to the precautions taken with Covid-19, which meant I was unable to administer the posttest. Several theoretical frameworks show the distinct need for evidence-based evaluation strategies due to the human tendency to generalize and make assumptions. For example, the Halo Effect describes how people create expectations based on only a few known traits exhibited by others. In order to avoid assumptions and misconceptions, it is essential to have objective forms of evaluation. A pretest and posttest allows one to recognize the difference that an intervention is making from a clearer standpoint.
9B – Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of practice outcomes across systems.
In Advanced Clinical Practice, a great portion of the class was devoted to learning and practicing group therapy techniques. As a final paper for the class, I evaluated the skill I demonstrated in a 40 minute practice group therapy session. On an affective level, I demonstrated responding to the concept of evaluation. Although I have not integrated evaluation into my natural thinking, I applied the concept in completing this assignment. On a cognitive level, I demonstrated analyzing through completing this assignment. I had to discern between how I completed the skills and how they could have been completed ideally. In order to complete this, the skills of critical thinking and self reflection were needed.
When I had initially made my learning plan, I was going to utilize the pretest and posttest to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Independent Living Group and report the findings in a brief report. However, since Covid-19 prevented me from being able to complete the posttest, I can only critically think to predict what the evaluation would have been. I wrote the following summary of this and what I learned from this process. In order to complete this, I needed to have a knowledge of how evaluations are effectively completed. I also would need to know about the group that I was planning to evaluate.