Dear MEL Institute, could you please give me some advice on how to evaluate a big program, like the Senior Citizen Scheme? What approach type should we choose?

Never mind.

It’s really complicated. Thanks so much for your kind assistance!

That’s a good question, but also complex. According to Newcomer, Hatry and Wholey (2015), the evaluation approach should be chosen given the intended use. You may choose the approach based on the understanding of the program and plan for the evaluation. For example, you may conduct a formative evaluation rather than a summative evaluation to improve the way that Senior Citizen Scheme is delivered. Similarly, you should decide whether your evaluation is ongoing or one-shot, objective observed or participatory, quantitative or qualitative, etc.