The concepts of cause and effect are critical to the field of program evaluation. Experimentally-designed evaluations—those that randomize to treatment and control groups—offer a convincing means for establishing a causal connection between a program and its effects. Experimental Evaluation Design for Program Improvement considers a range of impact evaluation questions, particularly those questions that focus on the impact of specific aspects of a program. Laura R. Peck shows how a variety of experimental evaluation design options can provide answers to these questions, and she suggests opportunities for experiments to be applied in more varied settings and focused on program improvement efforts.

The objective of this book is to acquaint the reader with the ways in which evaluation results can be made more credible through careful choice of a design prescribing when and from whom, the data will be gathered. The book helps the reader choose a design, put it into operation and analyze and report the data that has been gathered.

The medical research landscape in the United States is supported by a variety of organizations that spend billions of dollars in government and private funds each year to seek answers to complex medical and public health problems. The largest government funder is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), followed by the Department of Defense (DoD). Almost half of DoD's medical research funding is administered by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The mission of CDMRP is to foster innovative approaches to medical research in response to the needs of its stakeholdersâ€"the U.S. military, their families, the American public, and Congress. CDMRP funds medical research to be performed by other government and nongovernmental organizations, but it does not conduct research itself. The major focus of CDMRP funded research is the improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, or conditions that affect service members and their families, and the general public. The hallmarks of CDMRP include reviewing applications for research funding using a two-tiered review process, and involving consumers throughout the process. Evaluation of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Review Process evaluates the CDMRP two-tiered peer review process, its coordination of research priorities with NIH and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and provides recommendations on how the process for reviewing and selecting studies can be improved.

The medical profession requires extensive training and preparation in order to ensure the success and competency of future doctors and healthcare professionals. With an emphasis on professional development and medical education, current professionals in this field acknowledge the importance of residency programs and training in the professional development of future doctors. Optimizing Medicine Residency Training Programs presents a comprehensive overview of chapters ranging from the history of medicine to opportunities and research for further exploration geared toward the professional development and medical training for the next generation of doctors and healthcare professionals. This publication is an essential reference source for academicians, practitioners, and professionals interested in the education and training of modern medical professionals.