Paper critic for program evaluation Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critic for program evaluation - Research Paper Example Jemmott III, PhD; Loretta S. Jemmott, PhD, RN; Ann O’Leary, PhD; Zolani Ngwane, PhD;Larry D. Icard, PhD; Scarlett L. Bellamy, ScD; Shasta F. Jones, PhD; J. Richard Landis, PhD;G. Anita Heeren, MD, PhD; Joanne C. Tyler, DSc; Monde B. Makiwane, PhD, tries to give a clear perceptive of what are factors behind this worrying trend in South Africa. This paper will critically analyze the article in various ways such as the methodologies used, settings, aims and objectives, theoretical and empirical perspectives and much more. Background Setting- the study focused on the primary schools in a large, black township and rural settlement found near Cape Province. The setting of the study seems to focus mainly on the rural and poor families. But the reality is that HIV is a pandemic affecting every member of the society-either directly or indirectly-despite or his/her economic or social status. In this regard, there is some biasness as far as the setting of the study is concerned. Particip ants- random sampling method was used to select nine of 17 matched pairs of schools. The selected students were mainly in their sixth grade. However, the researcher had the consent of the parents or guardians before interviewing the students. This is a rather good move as far as the study is concerned. ... Stakeholders-stakeholders are different types of people who have direct or indirect interest on the outcome of the study results. Stakeholders regularly hold competing and occasionally combative perceptions on the appropriateness of the study. The interests of the stakeholders are affected by the outcome of the result. There is no clear identification of the concerned parties throughout the study. This is because of unclear definition of the significance of the study. Program theory The results of the study represent a theory based, contextually appropriate methods for HIV/AIDS reduction among the South African adolescents. The meta-analyses indicates that results from the school level were almost similar to the results obtained from individual level, although slightly more significant statistically. While logic models and program theory are frequently used interchangeably, the more accurate definition of a logic model is the graphical theory. The importance of logic models in this t ype of study cannot be ignored. This is because logic models are used as tools to plan, develop, manage, communicate and evaluate program or study. The logic models are effectively used in this study. For example, tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 give description of logic models as used in the study. Table 1 shows the number of students used in the study. 558 girls and 449 boys participated in the study. Linking this to the logic model, then Table represents the input section of the model. Table 2 presents descriptive statistics for sexual behaviors through intrusion condition and assessment period. This is the activity section of logic model. Table 3 is a representation of the estimated intervention effects during the follow-up period, intra-class correlation