Pawson and Tilley XXXXXXXXXXdescribe their Realist Evaluation approach as not asking ‘what works’ or ‘does this program work’ but asks instead “What works for whom in what circumstances and in what...

Pawson and Tilley (2004) describe their Realist Evaluation approach as not asking ‘what works’ or ‘does this program work’ but asks instead “What works for whom in what circumstances and in what respects and how?” Critically discuss what the differences and/or similarities are between this approach and Michelle Issel’s model. Refer to recommended references for Pawson and Tilley (1997) Realistic Evaluation, and Pawson and Tilley Realist Evaluation (2004 – attached at end of study guide or posted in the Discussion Forum). [1000 words]


Part 2
In this assignment you will critically review an existing evaluation of a public health care program. You should draw upon what you have learned so far in this topic to develop criteria for appraising the evaluation in terms of methods and approaches (i.e. criteria might include participatory evaluation approach, mixed methods, or advantages of internal versus external evaluators, designing effect evaluations, etc.). Use the criteria to assess the evaluation report in terms of how the evaluation was conducted. [Remember you are reviewing the evaluation of a program, not the program itself.]


Find a formal report of an evaluation that has been conducted in your workplace, or that is relevant to your field of work.



Having developed your criteria by drawing on the literature in this topic, and chosen your evaluation, prepare a critical review of its design and implementation. Your review must provide:
•    A brief description of the health care program that is the focus of your chosen evaluation report (300 words)
•    A brief description of the evaluation report that should include its purpose, design and methods together with any necessary contextual information (400 words). Brief excerpts from the report can be included as an appendix if necessary.
•    An assessment of the evaluation’s relative strengths and weaknesses against the criteria that you have developed from the literature.