Nursing (NURS) 606
Health Systems and Services Evaluation
Delivery Mode: Paced/home-study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
Prerequisite: For MHS Students: MHST 601
For MN-Gen Students: NURS 608
Introduction
Program evaluation has made important contributions to health care practice, policy, administration, education, and research. An understanding of the principles and practices of evaluation is essential in today's health care environment, whether you are conducting or commissioning evaluations. This course is designed to provide a solid understanding of both the principles and practices of program evaluation.
Course Goals
MHST/NURS 606 is designed to help students achieve the following course goals:
- identify evaluation models appropriate to various programs/situations;
- design a variety of evaluation data collection tools;
- develop an evaluation plan for a health program or service;
- articulate the code of behaviour for evaluators; and
- develop a personal approach/philosophy to program evaluation.
Course Materials
MHST/NURS 606 comprises online and print-based course materials.
- Study Guide
- Online articles, references and Websites
Textbooks
Patton, M. Q. (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation: The new century text (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.
Rossi, P. H., Freeman, H.E., & Lipsey, M.W. (2004). Evaluation: A systematic approach (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.
Technical Requirements
Computer System
In order to successfully complete this course, you must own or have ready access to certain computer hardware and software programs. For complete and up-to-date information on the minimum computer requirements required to complete the graduate nursing courses, visit the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies technical site.
Course Outline
MHST/NURS 606 comprises 10 units as follows:
- Unit 1: Introduction to Evaluation
- Unit 2: Evaluation Fundamentals
- Unit 3: Evaluation Models
- Unit 4: Designing an Evaluation
- Unit 5: Collecting Evaluation Data
- Unit 6: Analyzing Evaluation Data
- Unit 7: Reading and Writing Evaluation Reports
- Unit 8: The Social Context of Evaluation
- Unit 9: Class Presentations
- Unit 10: Wrap-up and Reflection
Assessment Structure
In the MHS and MN:Gen programs, students must achieve an overall program GPA of 2.7 ( B- or 70 percent), to graduate. The minimum passing grade requirement for each MHS and MN:Gen course is C- (60 percent).
The following course activities will contribute to your course grade, with the percentage weighting of each activity as follows:
| Course Activity | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Conference Participation | 15% |
| Assignment 1: Evaluation Experiences or Metaphors | 15% |
| Assignment 2: An Evaluation Theorist | 35% |
| Assignment 3: Group Evaluation Plan | 35% |
| Other Informal Group Work | 0% |
| Total | 100% |
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.