Although I wanted to apply Scriven's model to this case study, I decided to
give another model a try. For this case study, I will try to apply
Stake's Countenance Model.
Stake's model basically has the evaluator investigate the relationships
between the "antecedents, transactions, and outcome variables" in a
program. The antecedents in the case study would be the data collected
before the exercise program is implemented. This data would show the
relationship between the exercise level of pregnant aboriginal women and the
number of these women who contracted GDM.
The transactions in this program would be the all of the great aspects to
this exercise program. This would obviously include the muscle toning and
child birth preparation exercises, but also the self monitoring "talk
test", water aerobics, line dancing, free child care, bus tickets, and
bathing suits, snacks, beverages, weekly door prizes, special events (like
crafts and parties), and free educational material (on birth, nutrition,
exercise, etc).
The outcomes in this case would be a reduced rate of GDM amongst pregnant
aboriginal women.
An evaluator would use a matrix that fits with the Stake Countenance Model,
much like the one found on page 19 of the document found here.
I think this model is a good fit for this case because there is a clear
intent, and the observations made (especially regarding the outcomes) would be
clear to almost any evaluator.
Therefore, I feel like this model would reproduce similar results regardless
of who the evaluator is. Once the
program runs long enough to collect data about its effectiveness, judgments can
then be made.
I also believe that this model allows for a summative angle during this
evaluation. Since there is a clear
intent with the program, and the only way to know if it is working or not is to
wait until the participants give birth, a summative angle will help determine
the effectiveness of the program. There
is no need to do a formative evaluation since we want to know the link between
exercise and GDM. If changes are made
during the program we may not know what factors affect the contraction of GDM.
The judgments made after the Stake Countenance Model is applied to the
program evaluation could help create better exercise programs for pregnant
women in the future.
