Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
11:29
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Evaluation for program decision making: a case study of the Oportunidades program in Mexico.
Lynnette M Neufeld1, Concepción Steta, Juan Rivera
1Micronutrient Initiative, Ottawa, ON, Canada. lneufeld@micronutrient.org
The Journal of Nutrition
|September 30, 2011
Summary
External impact evaluations can improve public programs like Oportunidades. Open dialogue and long-term commitment are key to using evaluation results for program design and decision-making, especially in developing countries.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Program Evaluation
- International Development
Background:
- Limited utilization of evaluation findings hinders program improvement, particularly in developing nations.
- Public programs increasingly integrate evaluation, yet translating results into action remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe how external impact evaluation informed Oportunidades program modifications.
- To identify factors facilitating the use of evaluation results for decision-making in Oportunidades.
Main Methods:
- Summarizing studies guiding the evaluation process.
- Analyzing key aspects that enabled the utilization of evaluation findings.
Main Results:
- Evaluation results were used to modify the design and implementation of Oportunidades' nutrition component.
- Open dialogue and long-term commitment among stakeholders facilitated the use of evaluation findings.
Conclusions:
- Effective utilization of evaluation results requires more than just research implementation and publication.
- Lessons learned from Oportunidades demonstrate the value of collaborative approaches for program improvement, even with limited resources.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the P-value method includes calculating the P- value using the sample data and interpreting it.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...
01:22Case Studies
There are many research methods available to psychologists in their efforts to understand, describe, and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes that underlie it.
01:20Decision Making
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
01:11Observational Studies
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...