What are the steps in the CDC Program Evaluation Framework?

• A. Engage stakeholders, describe the program, focus evaluation design, gather evidence, justify conclusions, ensure use & share lessons.
• B. Define the problem, collect data, implement solution, measure impact, publish results.
• C. Plan, do, check, act.
• D. Identify stakeholders, secure funding, implement, evaluate.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the six-step CDC Program Evaluation Framework, which guides evaluating public health programs in a structured, use-focused way. It begins with engaging stakeholders to ensure the evaluation asks the right questions, aligns with what those affected want to know, and helps ensure findings will actually be used. Then you describe the program—clarifying goals, activities, resources, target population, and the context—often using a logic model to show how activities lead to intended outcomes. Next is focusing the evaluation design, which means shaping the evaluation questions, choosing the design and methods, and deciding on data sources and timing so the study will produce meaningful answers. After that you gather credible evidence by collecting appropriate data, ensuring quality and reliability, and often triangulating information from multiple sources. You then justify conclusions by interpreting the results in light of the evidence, noting strengths, limitations, and the degree of confidence in what the findings show about program success. Finally, you ensure use and share lessons by communicating findings to stakeholders and applying what’s learned to improve the program and inform decisions. The other options don’t fit because they either reflect generic problem-solving or quality-improvement cycles, or omit essential evaluation steps like stakeholder engagement, evidence gathering, and dissemination.