19 research outputs found
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Program staffs perceptions of barriers to evaluation implementation
This study investigated the nature of barriers to the implementation of (external) program evaluation. The purpose of the study was to expand the scarce empirical research on this topic by adding program staff perspectives. Eighteen staff members of a university outreach program that had been subjected to external evaluation were interviewed (1) about their general thoughts on barriers to evaluation implementation, and (2) about their views on the explanatory value of factors found in research related to evaluation utilization and which we believed to be theoretically relevant for barriers to evaluation implementation. These factors are summarized as human, evaluation, and context factors. Asked what they considered to be barriers to evaluation implementation, the interviewees mentioned human factors most frequently. They talked about evaluation and context factors much less frequently. With regard to human factors, interviewees focused on the evaluator's social competence and program staff's lack of trust in evaluators and evaluation process. Taking into account the context of the study, particularly the participants' prior experiences with evaluation, the findings reinforce our understanding that in order to avoid barriers to evaluation implementation, it is important to create a trusting relationship with those affected by the evaluation through continuous participation and communication, and to conduct carefully planned, methodologically appropriate evaluations
Recommended from our members
Program staffs perceptions of barriers to evaluation implementation
This study investigated the nature of barriers to the implementation of (external) program evaluation. The purpose of the study was to expand the scarce empirical research on this topic by adding program staff perspectives. Eighteen staff members of a university outreach program that had been subjected to external evaluation were interviewed (1) about their general thoughts on barriers to evaluation implementation, and (2) about their views on the explanatory value of factors found in research related to evaluation utilization and which we believed to be theoretically relevant for barriers to evaluation implementation. These factors are summarized as human, evaluation, and context factors. Asked what they considered to be barriers to evaluation implementation, the interviewees mentioned human factors most frequently. They talked about evaluation and context factors much less frequently. With regard to human factors, interviewees focused on the evaluator's social competence and program staff's lack of trust in evaluators and evaluation process. Taking into account the context of the study, particularly the participants' prior experiences with evaluation, the findings reinforce our understanding that in order to avoid barriers to evaluation implementation, it is important to create a trusting relationship with those affected by the evaluation through continuous participation and communication, and to conduct carefully planned, methodologically appropriate evaluations
Exposure to Electronic Cigarettes Impairs Pulmonary Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral Defenses in a Mouse Model
Electronic cigarettes (E-cigs) have experienced sharp increases in popularity over the past five years due to many factors, including aggressive marketing, increased restrictions on conventional cigarettes, and a perception that E-cigs are healthy alternatives to cigarettes. Despite this perception, studies on health effects in humans are extremely limited and in vivo animal models have not been generated. Presently, we determined that E-cig vapor contains 7 x 10(11) free radicals per puff. To determine whether E-cig exposure impacts pulmonary responses in mice, we developed an inhalation chamber for E-cig exposure. Mice that were exposed to E-cig vapor contained serum cotinine concentrations that are comparable to human E-cig users. E-cig exposure for 2 weeks produced a significant increase in oxidative stress and moderate macrophage-mediated inflammation. Since, COPD patients are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, we tested effects of E-cigs on immune response. Mice that were exposed to E-cig vapor showed significantly impaired pulmonary bacterial clearance, compared to air-exposed mice, following an intranasal infection with Streptococcus pneumonia. This defective bacterial clearance was partially due to reduced phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages from E-cig exposed mice. In response to Influenza A virus infection, E-cig exposed mice displayed increased lung viral titers and enhanced virus-induced illness and mortality. In summary, this study reports a murine model of E-cig exposure and demonstrates that E-cig exposure elicits impaired pulmonary anti-microbial defenses. Hence, E-cig exposure as an alternative to cigarette smoking must be rigorously tested in users for their effects on immune response and susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections