employing additional staff can improve service delivery?

   
1. Introduction.
a. Statement of the problem that the particular program or intervention is addressing.
b. Description of the program or intervention to be evaluated, including a statement of the underlying explicit or implicit theory of change for the program or intervention (i.e., the mechanisms through which the intervention is expected to produce its intended outcomes). 
c. Description of the agency environment: including the receptivity of the administration staff, and other stakeholders
d. Client and organizational factors that influence the evaluation
e. Logic model
2. Literature Review 
a. Critical review of the literature on the current evidence for the program or intervention effectiveness
b. Gaps in the literature
3. Study aims
a. Aims and objectives
b. Hypotheses
4. Methods
a. Study Design
i. Type of study (e.g., process, outcome, client satisfaction study)
ii. Study design (e.g., survey, pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, experimental)
b. Sample
i. Study population
ii. Eligibility criteria
iii. Sampling strategy
iv. Recruitment strategy
c. Measurement
i. State the independent, dependent, and other variables
ii. Identify and describe at least one measure of a study outcome
iii. If relevant: specify how program fidelity will be assessed
d. Data Collection Plan: what steps will be taken and by whom to collect data and provide informed consent
e. Data analysis strategy
5. References
  
APPENDIX A:  COMMON ASSIGNMENT & GRADING RUBRIC – Research Proposal
 
 
Competency and Dimension

Not   Competent

Developing   Competency

Competent

Advanced   Competence
 
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice. 
To use research to design and evaluate the   effectiveness of interventions and programs

Has not demonstrated any understanding of how to designing   and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs.

Has shown limited evidence of understanding of how to   designing and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs by   including a statement of a theory of change, study aims, and methods.

Has demonstrated the ability to design and evaluate the   effectiveness of interventions and programs by including a good theory of   change, clear study aims and methods.

Has completely demonstrated the ability to design and   evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs by including a   strong statement of a theory of change, clear study aims and strong methods.
 
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,   and Communities.
To design and evaluation taking into account   the state of the science, research design, and client and organizational   factors. 

Has not demonstrated any understanding of how to design   and evaluate the state of the science, research design, and client and   organizational factors. The literature   review was weak and the student did not take into account client and   organizational factors in planning the research.

Has demonstrated limited evidence of how to design and   evaluate the state of the science, research design, and client and   organizational factors. The literature review was acceptable but the student   did not take into account client and organizational factors in planning the   research.

Has demonstrated a clear understanding of how to design   and evaluate the state of the science, research design, and client and   organizational factors. The literature   review was good and the student took into account client and organizational   factors in planning the research.

Has demonstrated a strong understanding of how to design   and evaluate the state of the science, research design, and client and   organizational factors. The literature   review was very good and the student took into account client and   organizational factors in planning the research.