Group programs are common in social work. Just as with other types of programs, social workers must understand the options available to them and know how to select the appropriate research design.

For this Discussion, you evaluate group research design methods that can be used for an outcome evaluation of a foster parent training program. You also generate criteria to be measured in the program.

To prepare for this Discussion, review the Social Work Research: Planning a Program Evaluation case study in this weeks resources, Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Retrieved from http://www.vitalsource.com , and the section of Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations with Very Limited Resources, titled Overview of Methods to Collect Information.”

Post your explanation of which group research design and data collection method from those outlined in the Resources you selected as appropriate for the Social Work Research: “Planning a Program Evaluation” case study and why.

Then, generate criteria to be measured using the research design by identifying a specific outcome and a method for measuring that outcome. Specify who will collect the data and how the data will be collected.

By Day 5

Respond to at least two colleagues from the perspective of an interested stakeholder for the program by doing the following:

• Provide a brief description of the role that you are taking.
• Provide an evaluation of the group research design that they have chosen, and criteria that your colleagues have generated (choice of outcome and method of evaluation) from the perspective of the stakeholder whom you have chosen.
• Provide support based on your evaluation
• Ask questions about the plan for research design and the questions that the evaluation plan will address from your chosen perspective.