Module 1 - Assignment #2

Module 1 – Assignment Two           Identifying an Evaluation Model

 I believe that a summative approach would be an appropriate method for evaluating this program for prenatal fitness in order to prevent type 2 diabetes melltus. I feel that this method would work well, as the researchers are seeking to find a solution to a medical issue and are focusing on an outcome for improving and/or preventing a health-related issue that puts Aboriginal peoples at risk. The process of evaluation for this program would benefit from using a variety of strategies for collecting the necessary data. Due to the nature of the study and the participants involved, it would be important for the evaluation to be well-controlled and contain accurate and credible data.

The intention of this program is meant to obtain a specific outcome, therefore I believe that a summartive approach would be the most beneficial method of assessment. The developers of the program have indicated that they are hoping to create a program that has a final goal in mind, and have developed various smaller programs in order to meet their end goal. The programs that they have chosen need to be tested to ensure the safety of the participants, so precise monitoring of all the women’s' progressions need to be evaluated and recorded throughout the process.

Due to the various activities that the program is offering, data can be obtained using several approaches. Interviews and/or questionnaires could be used for each participant at the beginning, middle and the completion of the program to obtain personal information about each lady’s progress.  Medical records would need to be kept, closely monitoring each participator’s health. Checklists could be used to keep track of the members' attendance, and journals could be used to keep track of each individual’s personal journey through the process. It would be important to identify if the women were consistently following the exercise regimen, as well as recording their diets and smoking habits. This information could alter the effects of the program results, so they would need to be recorded and considered when analyzing the final results.

I also believe that an important aspect of the evaluation that would need to be considered is the difference in age groups of the women participating. Although they were all introduced to the program at approximately the same time during their pregnancy, their age and fitness condition at the time of involvement would need to be taken into account.

After the completion of the program, further data would need to be collected to identify if the expected goal had been met. Post interviews and health related data would need to be obtained to see if the women's participation in the program had obtained positive results, identifying if the prenatal exercise program had prevented type 2 diabetes melltus from developing in offspring.

Regardless of how this program is evaluated, I do believe that precise results would be difficult to achieve as there are several factors that are conducive to inconsistencies when obtaining accurate results.  This would possibly lead to modifications for improvements in the program.