One of the most important steps in the learning process is conscious reflection on the material to which you've been exposed. As we near the end of the course, I'd like you to spend some concentrated time reflecting on what you have learned over the course of the semester. In particular, your assignment is to write a brief summary of the central lessons you've derived from PAD 688: Research & Program Evaluation and how they help you understand a particular research issue.

Pick a research issue of your choice (e.g., conceptualization, performance measurement, program evaluation, needs assessment, social indicators data, benchmarking, or survey design) in your own organization (or any other organization of your choice). It would be good to choose an issue that relates to your current or future work. Then, write a brief, 4-6 page double-spaced paper summarizing what you have learned in the course and how it applies to that particular research issue. In your paper, reflectively summarize your intellectual, cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal experiences in this Research & Program Evaluation course. What have been the most important lessons?

Conclude your reflective statement with a description of how you have applied or will apply these lessons to your work. You may also wish to project forward your concerns about your future professional expectations/experiences given your experiences in the class.

For examples of a similar assignment from Public Policy, please see the material available at the Writing Memoranda page.