The Evaluator's Program Description (EPD) clarifies all aspects of a program such as goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes, and is developed by the evaluator working with stakeholders; the purpose of an EPD is to gather information, specify goals and objectives, design activities, and identify existing measurement tools; an EPD includes goal statements, activities, and procedures for evaluating evidence of program merit.

1. 
The Evaluator’s Program Description
Summary of Chapter 4
By Jennifer Marrott EDTECH 505

2. What is an Evaluator’s Program Description (EPD)?
 “A statement prepared by the evaluator after working
with stakeholders to amplify and clarify all aspects of
the program, including goals, objectives, activities,
and anticipated outcomes.”
Boulmetis, J. & Dutwin, P. (2011). The abcs of evaluation. (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

3. What is the purpose of an EPD?
The EPD sets the stage for the
evaluation. The purpose of an EPD
is to:
 Gather any needed information
from all stakeholders.
 Specify and clarify the
program’s goals and objectives.
 Design activities that will
accomplish the goals and
objectives.
 Identify measurement tools
already in place.
Photo courtesy of Sinarmas Wrold Academy at http://blogs.swa-
jkt.com/swa/11246/tag/theater-stage-types/

4. What are the components of an EPD?
Table 4.1 EPD for the Pharmacy Training Program
 Components of EPD
include goal Part Goals Activities Evidence of
Program Merit
statements, activities,
and evaluation 1 To make pharmacists
more aware of drug
Pharmacy students
observe human
Students who
participate in the
procedures and effects reactions to drugs.
Students attend
program perform
significantly better on
evidence. lectures in the nature
and treatment of
the test than the
students who did not.
frequently occurring
problems.
2 To teach students how to Students are taught Supervisors give
conduct drug audits how to read medical students satisfactory
using medical charts charts. Students evaluations.
conduct supervised
chart audits in nursing
homes.
3 To be knowledgeable Instructors conduct Students are able to
about laws relating to discussions of laws and cite laws and their
informed consent and the situations in which provisions. Students
malpractice they apply. are able to identify
situations in which a
law does or does not
apply.

5. How does an evaluator develop an EPD?
 The EPD occurs after the
program needs have been
identified and a plan to address
the needs has been designed.
 The evaluator meets with
stakeholders to understand all
perspectives and obtain any
needed information about
processes in place, goals,
objectives, and activities.
 From this information, the
evaluator begins developing a
design format for the
evaluation.