You must provide a references for entire posting. Please use APA for your reference citation. You will also have citations in the text of your responses as well as references at the end of your responses. References for other readings need to be current, within the last three to five years.  

 1. Theories seem to be such esoteric notions for a profession that seemed to function well for decades, without highlighting them. Can our practice history guide our practice future with theories? Why/not?   2. Define both rationalism and empiricism. Differentiate between these two scientific approaches.

 

Topic and Structure:

Compare/Contrast Essay – Choose one topic provided in these instructions to compare and/or contrast.

The table below provides an extensive list of topic options from which you must select, and we recommend that you choose one from below that you are interested in beyond this course. For instance, if you are a Finance or Business major, you might be interested in the Dividends v. Capital Gains topic. If you are a Science major, you might choose Hybrid Seeds v. GMO Seeds. Or perhaps you’re taking StraighterLine’s Survey of World History course, in which case you might opt to research the similarities and differences between the United States and the Roman Empire. You will use at least two credible sources to support your claims, and remember, you must include your sources throughout the body paragraphs of your essay in a mix of cited quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Both the support and research portions of the rubric will be negatively affected if you do not integrate your researched data.

·         Rosa Parks vs. Harriett Tubman

·         Treaties vs. Executive Agreements

·         Roman Empire vs. United States

·         Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” vs. Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”

·         Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication

·         Biblical Old Testament vs. New Testament

·         Leonardo di Vinci vs. Michelangelo

·         Apple Ipad vs. Microsoft Surface

·         Dividends vs. Capital Gains

·         Marxism vs. Socialism

·         Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox

·         Jazz vs. Blues

·         String Instruments vs. Wind Instruments

·         Amphibians vs. Reptiles

·         Charles Darwin vs. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

·         Solar Power vs. Wind Power

·         Hybrid Seeds vs. GMO Seeds

·         Public School vs. Home School

Write an essay comparing or contrasting the two topics in your selection using EITHER the point-by-point OR the subject-by-subject method to organize the details and specific examples. Consider focusing on three to five subtopics and generate ideas through prewriting. Develop a strong thesis statement for your essay that includes your two topics from the list above; your three to five subtopics; and a claim about how they are similar, different, or both. 

Sample Thesis Statements:

If you will argue that your two topics are mostly similar:

Topic A and Topic B share many similar characteristics, including (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3); while they differ in (Additional supporting point), the similarities greatly outweigh the differences. 

OR

If you will argue that your two topics are mostly different:

While Topic A and Topic B have (Additional supporting point) in common, they are mostly quite different; in fact, they differ in characteristics such as (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3).

OR

If you will argue that your two topics have many important/interesting similarities and differences: 

Analyzing Topic A and Topic B reveals many fascinating similarities as well as differences; for instance, they share (Supporting point 1) and (Supporting point 1), but are vastly different when it comes to (Supporting point 3) and (Supporting point 4). 

Tips

To brainstorm, you might consider using a Venn diagram or a simple list to show what your topics have in common and how they differ. Then you can select the most prominent or interesting characteristics that you want to highlight in your paper. 

Be sure to avoid beginning your comparisons or contrasts in the introduction. Your thesis is the only place in the introduction where you will include this information. Use the introduction to get your reader’s attention, and consider using a good strategy that leads into the topic. For instance, you might relate a short anecdote to illustrate your topic, an interesting quotation that relates to your topic, or perhaps a surprising statistic that reveals something about your topic. 

Then, in the body paragraphs remember to support your claim(s) outlined in the thesis. For instance, if one of your points says the city and the country are different in terms of transportation, be sure the topic sentence of one body paragraph presents a similar statement. In addition, spend equal time on each subtopic in each body paragraph, and one way to develop organized body paragraphs is to focus on one topic before moving to the next one so that the paragraph support is split 50/50. In other words, using the example above, you would explain the transportation options in the city in full, and then, you would detail the types of contrasting transportation in the country. End each body paragraph with a strong concluding sentence that synthesizes that paragraph’s discussions. 

The conclusion should sum up the specific supporting points as well as your overall assessment of why these points are important. Consider what kinds of interesting or new conclusions you can draw from your comparison. In other words, your essay must reveal why your comparison is important. A well-developed paragraph often contains a minimum of five sentences. Note that any of the main sections below labeled with Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV) could be more than just a single paragraph. 

Point-by-Point

I. Introduction 
    A. Thesis 
    B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader’s attention

II. Supporting point 1 
    A. Topic 1 
    B. Topic 2 

III. Supporting point 2 
    A. Topic 1 
    B. Topic 2 

IV. Supporting point 3
    A. Topic 1 
    B. Topic 2 

V. Supporting point 4 or Additional point
    A. Topic 1 
    B. Topic 2 

VI. Conclusion 
    A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction)
    B. Give your overall assessment—the “so what” factor—about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood?

Subject-by-Subject

I. Introduction 
    A. Thesis 
    B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader’s attention 

II. Topic 1 
    A. Supporting point 1 
    B. Supporting point 2 
    C. Supporting point 3 
    D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point 

III. Topic 2 
    A. Supporting point 1 
    B. Supporting point 2 
    C. Supporting point 3 
    D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point 

V. Conclusion 
    A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction)
    B. Give your overall assessment—the “so what” factor—about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood? 

Here’s an example of how you might organize using these methods for an essay about cats versus dogs as pets (remember, this topic is not one of the options for this essay).

Point-by-Point

I. Introduction 
    A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness. 

II. Subtopic 1: Noise level 
    A. Topic 1: Cats are quiet
    B. Topic 2: Dogs can be noisy 

III. Subtopic 2: Exercise
    A. Topic 1: Cats do not have to be walked 
    B. Topic 2: Dogs require exercise 

IV. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness 
    A. Topic 1: Cats groom themselves 
    B. Topic 2: Dogs need to be bathed 

V. Conclusion

Subject-by-Subject

I. Introduction 
    A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness. 

II. Topic 1: Cats 
    A. Subtopic 1: Noise level 
    B. Subtopic 2: Exercise 
    C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness 

III. Topic 2: Dogs 
    A. Subtopic 1: Noise level 
    B. Subtopic 2: Exercise 
    C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness 

IV. Conclusion 

Format Requirements:

Remember to apply the concepts you’re learning in the course, including elements of grammar, punctuation, thesis development, and other skills. 

Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.

Sources: You need a bare minimum of two credible sources for this assignment. 

Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:

• Your first and last name 
• Course Title (Composition I) 
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast) 
• Current Date

Page Layout:

• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page 
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1″ margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx  or  .doc format

Underline your thesis statement.

  

Evaluation Plan

A plan for evaluation should be correlated well with the specific program for which it has been developed. As you continue to work on Assignment 4, it is important to bear in mind that an evaluation plan is distinct from–yet aligned with–the program plan and contains its own goals and objectives.

This week you integrate the knowledge and discernment you have developed to formulate a plan for how evaluation could be an integral part of your program (see attached file in file section named “Week 9 Discussion”).

To prepare for this week’s section of Assignment 4:

• Keep your own program in mind as your      review the information presented in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Develop an evaluation plan that      includes goals, objectives, and activities. Consider what type of data      will be needed.
• Review your visual representation of      your program plan design (Week 6      [see attached file named “Assignment 2”]) and incorporate your      evaluation plan.
• Revise your Gantt chart (Week 6 [see attached file named “Assignment      2”]) to include your evaluation plan.

The full Assignment 4 is due by Wednesday 1/30/19 before midnight of this week. Instructions have been provided in previous weeks to help you prepare.

By Day 3

To complete:

Write a 3- to 5-page paper in APA format with a minimum of 6 scholarly references. Include the level 1 and 2 headers as numbered below that addresses the following (Please make sure to follow the outline exactly as below):

1) Evaluation Methods (developed in Week 9 [see attached file in file section named “Week 9 Discussion”])

a) Identify an evaluation theory or model that is aligned to your program goal(s) and objectives.

b) Exhibit a performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation timeline that:

o Demonstrates the appropriate use of performance measurement, monitoring, and summative evaluation

o Distinguishes between the long-term effects of impact evaluation versus short and intermediate health outcomes as a result of the implementation of the program.

2) Evaluation Plan (developed this week [see attached file named week 10 discussion”])

c) Develop an evaluation plan that includes goals, objectives, and activities. Specify the type of data needed.

d) Add your evaluation plan to the visual representation (e.g., table or graph) of your program plan design.

e) Add time line information for the evaluation plan to your Gantt chart.

Note: In addition to your paper, be sure to submit the following (which may be contained in a separate document):

• An updated version of the visual      representation (e.g., table or graph) of your program design that includes      your evaluation plan (See attached file, then revise )
• An updated version of your Gantt      chart that includes your evaluation plan

Be sure to make revisions to these items based on any feedback you received from your Instructor when you submitted them in Week 6 (see attached file).

Required Readings

Hodges, B. C., & Videto, D. M. (2011). Assessment and planning in health programs (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

· Review Chapter 4, “Program Planning: The Big Picture”

· Review Chapter 5, “Social Marketing, Program Planning, and Implementation”

As you review Chapter 4, focus on the budgeting information presented on pp. 113–115.

· Chapter 6, “The Importance and Use of Theories in Health Education and Health Promotion”

The authors describe various theories, noting that theories are not universally applicable to every program.

· Chapter 10, “Program Evaluation: Background and Basics”

Chapter 10 outlines steps for designing evaluation during program planning.

Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L. L. (2017). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 

An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

· Chapter 2, “The Contribution of Theory to Program Planning”

This chapter examines the application of theory in program planning.

· Review Chapter 10, “Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Program Evaluation”

· Chapter 11, “Impact Program Evaluation and Hypothesis Testing”

· Review Chapter 10 and read Chapter 11 to examine aspects of evaluation essential to program planning.

· Chapter 12, “Budgeting for Financial Control, Management, and Planning”

· Chapter 13, “Developing Line-Item, Functional, and Program Budgeting Systems”

·  Chapter 10, “Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Program Evaluation”

As you read this chapter, pay attention to the financial functions associated with these forms of evaluation and the data to be collected.

Chapter 12 introduces budgeting as an important part of the planning process, noting that it also serves essential management and control functions for programs. Chapter 13 addresses three systems of budgeting—line item, functional, and program—each of which has a distinct focus.

Berhane, A., Biadgilign, S., Berhane, A., & Memiah, P. (2015). Male involvement in family planning program in Northern Ethiopia: An application of the Transtheoretical model. Patient Education and Counseling 98, 469–475

Kroelinger, C.D., Rankin, K. M., Chamgers, D.A., Diez Roux, A.V., Huges, K., & Grigorescu, V. (2014). Using the principles of complex systems thinking and implementation sceice to enhance maternal and child health program planning and delivery. Maternal Child Health Journal, 18, 1560–1564. doi 10.1007/s10995-014-1586-9

Silverman, B., Champney, J., Steber, S., & Zubritsky, C. (2015). Collaborating for consensus: Considerations for convening Coalition stakeholders to promote a gender-based approach to addressing the health needs of sex workers. Evaluation and Program Planning 51,17–26 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.12.002

Smith, T.L., Barlow, P.b., Peters, J.M., & Skolits, G.J. (2015). Demystifying reflective practice: Using the DATA model to enhance evaluators’ professional activities. Evaluation and Program Planning, 52, 142–147.

Albert, D., Fortin, R., Herrera, C., Riley, B., Hanning, R., Lessio, A., & Rush, B. (2013). Strengthening chronic disease prevention programming: The toward evidence-Informed practice (TEIP) program evidence tool. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10,1–9

Baron, K., Hodgson, A., & Walshe, C. (2015). Evaluation of an advance care planning education programme for nursing homes: A longitudinal study. Nurse Education Today, 35, 689–695.

Schmitt, C.L., Glasgow, L., Lavinghouze, S.R., Ricker, P.P., Fulmer, E., McAleer, K., & Rogers, T. (2016). Measuring infrastructure: A key step in program evaluation and planning. Evaluation and Program Planning, 56, 50–56 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.03.007

Gaskin, J., Rennie, C., & Coyle, D. (2015). Reducing periconceptional methylmercury exposure: Cost-utility analysis for a proposed screening program for women planning a pregnancy in Ontario, Canada. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(12), 1337–1344 doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409034.

Palumbo, M.V., Sikorski, E.A. & Liberty, B.C. (2013). Exploring the cost-effectiveness of unit-based health promotion activities for nurses. Workplace Health & Safety, 61(12), 514–520.

U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Writing a business plan. Retrieved December 12, 2011, from http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business/starting-business/writing-business-plan

The “Writing a Business Plan” section of this website introduces elements of a good business plan, which is an essential document for any program. Investigate the information presented. In addition, see the “Preparing Your Finances” section for information on break-even analysis and other budgeting-related matters.

Robbins, L.B., Pfeiffer, K.A., Weolek, S.M., & Lo, Y. (2014). Process evaluation for a school-based physical intervention for 6th and 7th grade boys: Reach, dose, and fidelity. Evaluation and Program Planning, 42, 21–31 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.09.002

Schalock, R.L., Lee, t., Verdugo, M., Swart, K., Claes, C., van Loon, J., & Lee, C. (2014). An evidence-based approach to organization evaluation and change in human service organizations evaluation and program planning. Evaluation and Program Planning, 45, 110–118. 

Moore, H.K., Preussler, J., Denzen, E.M., Payton, T.J., Thao, V., Murphy, E.A. & Harwood, E. (2014). Designing and operationalizing a customized internal evaluation model for cancer treatment support programs, Journal Cancer Education, 29, 463–372 doi10.1007/s13187-014-0644-8

Redwood, D., Provost, E., Lopez, E.D., Skewes, M., Johnson, R., Christensen, C., Sacco, F., & Haverkamp, D. (2016). A process evaluation of the Alaska Native colorectal cancer family outreach program. Health Education & Behavior, 43(1), 35–42 doi: 10.1177/1090198115590781

Robbins, L.B., Pfeiffer, K.A., Weolek, S.M., & Lo, Y. (2014). Process evaluation for a school-based physical intervention for 6th and 7th grade boys: Reach, dose, and fidelity. Evaluation and Program Planning, 42, 21–31 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.09.002

Optional Resources

Ahmad, F., Roy, A., Brady, S., Belgeonne, S., Dunn, L., & Pitts, J. (2007). Care pathway initiative for people with intellectual disabilities: Impact evaluation. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(7), 700–702.

This article is an example of an impact evaluation.

Gard, C. L., Flannigan, P. N., & Cluskey, M. (2004). Program evaluation: An ongoing systematic process. Nursing Education Perspectives, 25(4), 176–179.

This article discusses the use of accreditation standards and site visits as a plan for ongoing evaluation for a nursing program.

Graff, J. C., Russell, C. K., & Stegbauer, C. C. (2007). Formative and summative evaluation of a practice doctorate program. Nurse Educator, 32(4), 173–177.

Milne, L., Scotland, G., Tagiyeva-Milne, N., & Hussein, J. (2004). Safe motherhood program evaluation: Theory and practice. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 49(4), 338–344.

This article identifies and evaluates the different approaches to program evaluation related to safe motherhood.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). Chronic disease indicators [Data set]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cdi/.

This site allows you to search and compare different regions for specific chronic disease indicators.

Hulton, L. J. (2007). An evaluation of a school-based teenage pregnancy prevention program using a logic model framework. Journal of School Nursing, 23(2), 104–110.

This article describes the use of the logic model to develop, implement, and evaluate a nursing intervention in a school setting.

Johnson, S. S., Driskell, M., Johnson, J. L., Prochaska, J. M., Zwick, W., & Prochaska, J. O. (2006). Efficacy of a transtheoretical model-based expert system for antihypertensive adherence. Disease Management, 9(5), 291–301.

This article introduces the use of the transtheoretical model and stages of change as applied to interventions aimed at medication adherence for patients with hypertension.

Rogers, L. Q., Shah, P., Dunnington, G., Greive, A., Shanmugham, A., Dawson, B., & Courneya, K. S. (2005). Social cognitive theory and physical activity during breast cancer treatment. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32(4), 807–815.

The social cognitive theory is utilized to examine associations with physical activity in breast cancer patients. This article posits that the social cognitive theory can be used as a mediator for intervention evaluation with this population.

W. K. Kellogg Foundation. (2004). Using logic models to bring together planning, evaluation, and action: Logic model development guide. Battle Creek, MI: W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resource/2006/02/wk-kellogg-foundation-logic-model-development-guide.

This report offers a guide for the use of the logic model in program planning and outcome-oriented evaluation for nonprofit projects.

Dirubbo, N. E. (2006). Break-even analysis: Can I afford to do this? Nurse Practitioner, 31(7), 11.

This article briefly explains break-even analysis and its use in initiating new programs.

McBryde-Foster, M. J. (2005). Break-even analysis in a nurse-managed center. Nursing Economic$, 23(1), 31–34

This article explains how break-even analysis can be used in a nursing environment and how to apply it for program proposals.

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2008). HTA 101: IV. Cost analysis methods. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/hta101/ta10106.html

· Published by the National Institutes of Health, this site offers an explanation of the types of cost analysis including comparison of cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefits.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Design and evaluation of programs and projects [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

“Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Evaluation” (featuring Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, Dr. Melissa Willmarth, and Dr. Debora Dole)

You may view this course video by clicking the link or on the course DVD, which contains the same content. Once you’ve opened the link, click on the appropriate media piece.

In this week’s videos, Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, Dr. Melissa Willmarth, Dr. Debora Dole discuss evaluation for programs.

Clinical performance evaluation is subjective and involves the judgments of the evaluator. It is filtered by the evaluator’s perspective, values, and biases. With this in mind, select three clinical evaluation strategies that you believe are fair and accurate in order to measure student learning, and determine their competency and safety in the clinical setting. Explain your rationale for why you selected each of the strategies, and how they align with your personal philosophy of teaching.  Make sure the strategies that you selected include ways to evaluate students cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning.

  

Workflow analysis aims to determine workflow patterns that maximize the effective use of resources and minimize activities that do not add value. There are a variety of tools that can be used to analyze the workflow of processes and clarify potential avenues for eliminating waste. Flowcharts are a basic and commonly used workflow analysis method that can help highlight areas in need of streamlining.

In this Assignment, you select a common event that occurs regularly in your organization and create a flowchart representing the workflow. You analyze the process you have diagrammed and propose changes for improvement.

To prepare:

· Identify a common, simple event that frequently occurs in your organization that you would like to evaluate.

· Consider how you would design a flowchart to represent the current workflow.

· Consider what metrics you would use to determine the effectiveness of the current workflow and identify areas of waste.

To complete:

Write a 3- to 5-page paper which includes the following:

· Create a simple flowchart of the activity you selected. (Review the Sample Workflow of Answering a Telephone in an Office document found in this week’s Learning Resources for an example.)

· Next, in your paper:

o Explain the process you have diagrammed.

o For each step or decision point in the process, identify the following:

§ Who does this step? (It can be several people.)

§ What technology is used?

§ What policies and rules are involved in determining how, when, why, or where the step is executed?

§ What information is needed for the execution of this step?

o Describe the metric that is currently used to measure the soundness of the workflow. Is it effective?

o Describe any areas where improvements could occur and propose changes that could bring about these improvements in the workflow.

o Summarize why it is important to be aware of the flow of an activity.

· Remember to include a cover page, introduction, and summary for your paper.