The document discusses the differences between efficacy research and program evaluation. Efficacy research tests interventions in controlled environments to determine if they are effective, while program evaluation assesses whether an existing program is meeting client needs and achieving goals. Both make important contributions to the counseling field by providing evidence for effective interventions and insights into how to improve programs. One point discussed is that program evaluations require careful interpretation to avoid bias.

1. There needs to be a seperate response to each peer's posting and
it needs to be supported with at least two references for each
peer's posting.
1
st
Peer Posting
What differences do you note between efficacy research and
program evaluation?
The difference between efficacy research and program
evaluation is the scientific aspect. Program evaluations
“primary purpose is to provide data that can be used by decision
makers to make valued judgements about the processes and
outcomes of a program (Sherpis, Young, & Daniels, 2010).
Therefore, letting the agency know what needs to be changed in
the program to make the program effective to their clientele.
Efficacy research based on empirical data which is an essential
to the scientific method. Therefore, efficacy research is where
clients are in controlled environments and interventions can be
tested.
What are the key strengths of efficacy research?
The key strength of efficacy research is the scientific process.
In the article, The Efficacy of Child Parent Relationship
Therapy for Adopted Children with Attachment Disruptions, the
researcher wanted to test the child parent relationship therapy

2. (CPRT) which “is an empirically based, manualized counseling
intervention for children presenting with a range of social,
emotional, and behavioral issues” (Cranes-Holt, & Bratton,
2014). The purpose was to test this theory on adoptive families.
Thus, a control group was designed to test CPRT. The
researcher used the Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Version
(CBCL) and the Measurement of Empathy in Adult-Child
Interaction (MEACI). These are both empirical test, the CBCL
measures the parents of the child’s behavior problems; whereas,
the MEACI is an operational measure that defines empathy
between the parents and the child while playing. These tests are
conducted in control environments where no outside distractions
are permitted and the hypothesis of the researcher can be tested.
What are the key strengths of program evaluation?
The key strength of the program evaluation is the clients are the
people who are participating in the program evaluation and
whether the interventions used are effective for them. Thus, this
lets the research know what changes are needed for the agency
to be successful. Therefore, surveys are used to collect data for
the participants, the parents, are people that work with the
clients or caregivers with the client. This give the ideas of
opinions of the people directly or indirectly receiving services.
In the article, Evaluating Batter Counseling Programs: A
Difficult Task Showing Some Effects and Implications, a
multisite evaluation was done and the participants were
“administered a uniform set of background questionnaire,
personality inventory (MCMI-III; Millon, 1994), and alcohol
test (MAST; Selzer, 1971)” (Gondolf, 2004). Therefore, given
the research opinions of the clientele over the four sites and let
the researcher know what treatment is working and not working.
Therefore, the conclusion of the program evaluation “the
batterer programs, in our evaluation, appear to contribute to this

3. outcome— there is a ‘‘program effect.’’ (Gondolf, 2004).
“Referral to the gender-based, cognitive–behavioral programs,
moreover, seems to be appropriate for the majority of men”
(Gondolf, 2004).
What contribution does each of these types of research make to
the counseling field?
The contribution that efficacy research makes to the counseling
field is that there is scientific data that the interventions used
with the client will work; if they are utilized correctly by the
client. Efficacy research gives the counselor confidence in
providing treatment inventions for the client because it will
help in the client’s mental health. Program evaluations aid the
counselor in what intervention are working and not working for
the client population they serve. Program evaluations make sure
the agency has the client’s best interest in mind and the agency
is using the best intervention and treatment planning to service
their client. Program evaluation helps the counselor increase
their knowledge base of treatment, interventions, assessments,
and diversity for the clients they serve. “Counselors recognize
the need for continuing education to acquire and maintain a
reasonable level of awareness of current scientific and
professional information in their fields of activity. Counselors
maintain their competence in the skills they use, are open to
new procedures, and remain informed regarding best practices
for working with diverse populations” (APA, 2014).
What is a point from any of the articles that you can apply in
your current work setting or your ideal counseling fieldwork
setting?

4. A main point that stood out to this learner was the subjectivity
of the program evaluation. “Evaluation is, consequently, not an
objective or purely scientific process that produces unbiased
and conclusive results”. In this view, a program evaluation is a
process with a subjective outcome”. This the research must be
careful not to impose if owes values and views when evaluating
a program from interpreting the data that is given. According to
ACA Code of Ethics (2014), standard a.4.b. states “Counselors
are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes,
beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of
clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in
areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto
clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent
with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature”.
References
American Counseling Association (2014). Code of Ethics.
Alexandria, VA: Author.
Cranes-Holt, K., & Bratton, S.C. (2014). The Efficacy of Child
Parent Relationship Therapy for
Adopted Children with Attachment Disruptions. Journal
of Counseling & Development,
92(3), 328-337. doi: 10.1002/j.1556.6676.2014.00160.x
Gondolf, E. W. (2004). Evaluating Batter Counseling Programs:
A Difficult Task Showing
Some Effects and Implications. Aggression and Violent
Behavior, 9(6), 605-631. doi:

5. 10.1016/j.avb.2003.06.001
Sherpis, Young, & Daniels (2010). Current View: US
Counseling Research: Quantitative,
Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved
from:
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323128015/cfi/0
2
nd
Peer Posting
U1D1_KDM Powell_Comparing Efficacy Research and Program
Evaluation
Differences
In working with efficacy research, involves general
investigation to resolve the analysis of whether a certain
program is effective (Royce, Thayer & Padgett, 2016)
Evaluation of a program involves assessing whether the program
is supplying what is needed by the client attain their goals
(Royce, Thayer, & Padgett, 2016). Each has the purpose for a
variety of reasons. Program evaluations are practical is do not
rely on theory or academics to be performed and can evaluated
for one person or a group (Royce, Thayer, & Padgett, 2016).
The effectiveness of research offers the research the answers to
understand if a program is doing what it was set out to do. The
effectiveness or usefulness of a program can mean the
difference between expanding a program or creating change.
Program evaluation looks at the efficacy of the research to
determine if information supplied can be utilized in the

6. program. With this in mind a program can be made better which
ultimately make the people involved in the program get better
service toward their needs.
Key strengths
Efficacy research digs deep through a process and looks at
certain information presented can be something meaningful or
misguided. The amount of information that is available can
offer a clearer view of the course of actions that can be
followed to make success of a client’s life in the participation
of a program. The amount of research compiled offers
information as to what are the pitfalls or viable assets to a
program because if the research was done correct is could be
replicated and come to the same conclusion which would
produce validity in what found (Royce, Thayer & Padgett,
2016). Understanding how the research was handled and what
is revealed within that research can be effectively used as a
viable representation to be used in future research.
In the regards to program evaluation, the program that may
work in one setting may not work another setting even though
client’s may have the same or similar program (Royce, Thayer,
& Padgett, 2016). Program evaluation looks at how the program
may relate to the clients in that particular setting. As mention
with this evaluation, change can occur to be more beneficial.
The developers and facilitators of a program can review if the
interventions are used are what is best for their client
population. Also, having the program based on research can
assess what research was used to based their decision on the
interventions being used.
Contribution
There are so many programs out there just as there is research
out there. There are options that can be utilized to help in the

7. counseling. There is one specific thing that stands out as being
definitive in how and what interventions being used. Gondolf
(2004) maintains that what makes how effective a program is
based on the interventions incorporated in the program.
Research and evaluation can set a program a part from all
others. Gondolf (2004) believed that defining a program is a
major issue. With use of research and evaluation, defining the
program can dictate which client based that would be better
served, the most suitable setting and effectiveness of the
programs as whole.
Point
Information that is out there about evaluation of programs may
not be entirely truthful. Gondolf (2004) expressed that
producing definitive results can be overwhelming but also the
results can be fabricated to produce validation. There should be
consideration as to how the results are interpreted based on the
research. Sometimes is good to do one’s own research and
evaluation. Relying solely on other’s research and evaluation
could put the good that one is trying to at risk as well as one’s
reputation.
References:
David Royse, D., Bruce A. Thayer, & Padgett, D.K. (2016).
Program Evaluation: An Introduction to an Evidence-Based
Approach
(6
th
ed.) Boston. MA: Cengage Learning.