Improving Evaluation of Anticrime Programs

Although billions of dollars have been spent on crime prevention and controlprograms during the past decade, scientifically strong impact evaluations of theseprograms are uncommon in the context of the overall number of programs thathave received funding. Improving Evaluation of Anticrime Programs is designed as aworking guide for agencies and organizations responsible for program evaluation,for researchers who must design scientifically credible evaluations of governmentand privately sponsored programs, and for policy officials who are investing moreand more in the concept of evidence-based policy to guide their decisions in crucialareas of crime prevention and control.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 What Questions Should the Evaluation Address?3 When Is an Impact Evaluation Appropriate?4 How Should an Impact Evaluation Be Designed?5 How Should the Evaluation Be Implemented?6 What Organizational Infrastructure and Procedures Support High-Quality Evaluation?7 Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations: Priorities and FocusReferencesAppendix A Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and StaffAppendix B Participant List: Workshop on Improving Evaluation of Criminal Justice Programs