The document compares two evaluation methods: the Success Case Method and Utilization-Focused Evaluation. The Success Case Method is a quasi-evaluation study that focuses on a small area or method and compares successes to non-successes to determine how successes can be scaled. Utilization-Focused Evaluation is eclectic and takes from various methods, with the goal of ensuring users have needed information and results will be used. It focuses on stakeholders and specific situations. The document concludes the Success Case Method would be preferred to evaluate a rural health program since it assesses successes and non-successes by area according to health standards.

1. Success Case Method
Utilization-Focused Evaluation
A Comparison of Evaluation Methods

2. Success Case Method
• A quasi-evaluation study – small focus on one area, or one
method of study
• Compares what is working in a program with what is not
working
• Looks at how successes can be scaled
• Example: Coryn, Schroter, and Hanssen (2007) –What factors
influence academic achievement in minority students?

3. Utilization-Focused Evaluation
• Eclectic – taking from a variety of evaluation methods
• All about utility – ensuring the program users have the
information they need, and that results of the evaluation
will be used
• It focuses on the stakeholders and the specific situation.

4. The RUPAS CASE
Which method is preferred?
• The Success Case Method would be appropriate because
of the ways it accesses successes and nonsuccesses in
each rural area according to the health standards.
• The Utilization-Focused Evaluation might contextualize
the program evaluation too much by area, and according
to each mother’s opinion. It would be useful to use this
method for stakeholder buy-in.

5. References
Alkin, M. C. (2011). Evaluation Essentials: From A to Z. NewYork, NY:The Guilford Press.
Campbell, D.T., & Stanley, J.C. ( 1966). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for
research . Chicago, IL: Rand McNally.
Coryn C. L. S., Schröter D. C., Miron G., Kana’iaupuni S. K.,Tibbetts K. A., Watkins-Victorino L.
M., Gustafson O. W. (2007b). School conditions and academic gains among Native Hawaiians:
Identifying successful school strategies—Executive summary and key themes. Kalamazoo:The
Evaluation Center, Western Michigan University.
Stufflebeam, D. L. and Coryn, C. L. S. (2014). EvaluationTheory, Models, and Applications, Second
Edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey‐Bass.
Yarbrough, D. B., Shulha, L. M., Hopson, R. K., & Caruthers, F. A. (2011). The program evaluation
standards: A guide for evaluators and evaluation users (3rd ed.).Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.