PME 828 Module 2 Activity 2
Theory- Utilization-Focused Evaluation, Michael Quinn Patton
Resource
Patton, M.Q. (2012). Essentials of Utilization-
Focused Evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation. BetterEvaluation.
(n.d) Retrieved July 2017 from
http://www.betterevaluation.org/en/plan/approac
h/utilization_focused_evaluation
Vassar, M., Wheeler, D.L., Davison, M., & Franklin,
J. (2010) Program Evaluation in Medical Education:
Terra Bourre
Key Notes
This textbook provides a broad overview of evaluation and a more detailed review of UFE
including a UFE checklist for each of the 17 steps. The textbook is organized with each chapter
dedicated a step in the UFE framework.
Cases are used to illustrate the application of theory to practice.
The UFE emphasis on personalization would make this an excellent framework for an evaluation
within my professional context. We have a small faculty group (extremely dedicated to student
success) and we are regularly implementing new initiatives for our students that would benefit
from UFE evaluation. We have often become frustrated with the lack of timeliness and follow-up
of internal administrative driven program review processes. The UFE model ensures timeliness
and follow-up so that evaluation findings are used by primary intended users for program needs
and improvement.
This website provides a summary of UFE purposes (engaging end users/stakeholders in the
evaluation process so that the findings can be purposefully utilized by its users) and essential
elements (primary intended users must be identified and fully engaged in the evaluation process
and evaluators must ensure that the intended users guide all decisions throughout the
evaluation process). The main premise being that ownership over the process equals better use
of the findings.
outlines UFE framework with the 17 step process and provides a detailed examplar of a UFE for
Agricultural Innovation
Practical advice and additional resources are provided in order to further understanding of the
UFE theory.
This article caught my attention because it was an education health program using UFE to
examine the effectiveness of standardized patients in simulation for medical students. My
 PME 828 Module 2 Activity 2
An Overview of the Utilization-focused Approach.
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health
Professions, 7 (1) DOI: 10.3352/jeehp.2010.7.
Retrieved July 2017 from:
https://www.jeehp.org/upload/jeehp-7-1.pdf
[MyM and E]. (2013, June 7). Utilization-focused
evaluation with Michael Quinn Patton [Video file].
Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQP1FGhxloY
Patton, M.Q. (2015). Michael Patton on Qualitative
Inquiry in Utilization Focused Evaluation. American
Evaluation Association AEA365 Tip a day for
Evaluators. Retrieved from
http://aea365.org/blog/qual-eval-week-michael-
quinn-patton-on-qualitative-inquiry-in-utilization-
focused-evaluation/
Terra Bourre
program context is health and we do not have standardized patients but do use some simulation
for learning particular medical emergency management procedures. The authors of this
particular study expressed interest in using UFE due to its flexibility, and emphasis on the
stakeholders involvement in the evaluation.
For the last few years I have been involved with interprofessional health initiatives at our College
and we have been mandated to incorporate interprofessional objectives into our curriculum. I
would be interested in using the UFE to measure the effectiveness and impact that this learning
has on students in our particular program.
I was introduced to this video in PME 802 and found it to be an excellent resource to shed light
on why evaluation matters and also summarize the key distinctions of the UFE method. Michael
Patton begins the video with a couple extreme examples of high stakes evaluation and the
importance of using data for evaluation. He goes on to explain the research-based approach and
data informed decision making that the UFE stands for. He makes reference to evaluation
standards and how they apply to the UFE model as a framework for meaningful use of
evaluation both findings and process. I was particularly interested in his description of process
use that is enhanced through the UFE model. This is the impact made on programs from going
through the thinking of an evaluation process. He suggests how even creating a logic model with
primary intended users can have an immediate impact enhancing a shared understanding that
supports program development. In my professional context there is an opportunity for capacity
building in evaluative thinking. Many of the educators in my program area are at a novice level
with evaluation so the process itself of evaluation could be extremely beneficial.
The American Evaluation Association sponsored AEA365 site is an excellent resource for any
evaluation inquiry. This particular article speaks to the process benefits of UFE including its
flexibility for the primary intended users so that the evaluation is useful for their particular
inquiry. Qualitative inquiry is supported by the UFE and tips on how to use QI in the future are
provided. Michael Quinn Patton provides useful hot tips to help evaluators to understand how
best to use the UFE framework. I like this resource because its concise and also provides
additional links to other UFE resources.