title: Let's get technical: Enhancing program evaluation through the use and integration of internet and mobile technologies.
abstract: Program evaluation has become increasingly important, and information on program performance often drives funding decisions. Technology use and integration can help ease the burdens associated with program evaluation by reducing the resources needed (e.g., time, money, staff) and increasing evaluation efficiency. This paper reviews how program evaluators, across disciplines, can apply internet and mobile technologies to key aspects of program evaluation, which consist of participant registration, participant tracking and retention, process evaluation (e.g., fidelity, assignment completion), and outcome evaluation (e.g., behavior change, knowledge gain). In addition, the paper focuses on the ease of use, relative cost, and fit with populations. An examination on how these tools can be integrated to enhance data collection and program evaluation is discussed. Important limitations of and considerations for technology integration, including the level of technical skill, cost needed to integrate various technologies, data management strategies, and ethical considerations, are highlighted. Lastly, a case study of technology use in an evaluation conducted by the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State is presented and illustrates how technology integration can enhance program evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, United States. Electronic address: ftm5004@psu.edu.
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Materia
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Megan C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Runion
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Ryan P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Chesnut
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Jamie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Irvin
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Cameron B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Perkins
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D063731:Mobile Applications; D018579:Patient Selection; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Internet; Mobile application; Program evaluation; Technology; Text message