Cost-Effectiveness: A Primer (New Perspectives on Evaluation)

By Henry M. Levin

Book Overview

Published in cooperation with the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory "Cost-Effectiveness will occupy a unique and important niche in the literature on normative economic analysis. . . . What Henry M. Levin does far better than other economic observer is to address the practical considerations in implementing cost analyses, with attention to the particular challenges of educational program evaluation. The educational evaluator with interest in costs will prize this book." --Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis "A very useful text for educational administrators as well as administrators in other public sectors. It would make an excellent textbook for students enrolled in educational or public administration courses. The concise text and numerous examples make the primer an interesting and useful guide and a valuable addition to the library of all those in public administration." --Resources in Review "Well organized, examining cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-utility, and cost-feasibility studies. It also highlights the benefits and pitfalls of these tools for decision making. The examples and applications used throughout the book are directed at educators but can be readily generalized to other professions and services. . . It is an excellent start . . . for the uninitiated who is interested in making or influencing decisions when dividing our society′s resources." --American Journal of Occupational Therapy "A clear and concise guide to understanding-and using-cost- effectiveness techniques, this primer will be an essential resource for policymakers, evaluators, social researchers and students." --Institute for Research on Educational Finance and Governance "Two attractive features of this book are the extensive use of examples to illustrate the concept and methodology of cost-effectiveness analysis and the excercises presented at the end of each chapter. . . . A very worthwhile publication for policymakers, administrators, and the beginning program evaluators." --Economics of Education Review "Henry M. Levin′s Cost-Effectiveness seeks to help evaluators and administrators to understand the concepts, uses, and applications of cost-effectiveness, and also to provide a basic course of study for those who will then move on to higher levels. And, by and large, it succeeds. . . . Appendixes offer feedback on exercises and a very useful annotated bibliography. There is a brief list of references and a commendably full index. . . . A competent and useful text." --Evaluation in Higher Education In the midst of budget slashing and diminishing resources, the need for efficient public policies has never been greater. Henry M. Levin introduces the concepts, uses, and applications of cost analysis-demonstrating step-by-step methods of resolving evaluation and decision-making dilemmas through four key approaches: cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-utility, and cost-feasibility. While illustrating the use of cost-analytic tools in the educational domain, Levin emphasizes that the principles can be applied in policy areas ranging from health care to transportation to criminal justice. In-depth exercises sharpen the reader′s ability to evaluate policy options. As a clear and concise guide to understanding-and using-cost-effectiveness techniques, this primer will be an essential resource for policymakers, evaluators, social researchers, and students.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803921527
• ISBN13: 9780803921528
• Release Date: November 1983
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"