Case Studies and Cost-Benefit Analysis as Applied to the Kellogg Youth Initiatives Program
Abstract
The following paper is a study of the evaluation processes of the Kellogg
Foundation's Youth Initiatives Program. This Senior Individualized Project (SIP)
compares cost-benefit analysis to the more qualitative evaluation currently used by the
Kellogg Foundation. Cost-benefit analysis is a traditional evaluation process used by
economists. It is designed to compare projects quantitatively. Case studies, which are
an evaluation process used by the Kellogg Foundation, look qualitatively at projects in
depth without comparing projects. After studying both methods of project evaluation,
this SIP concludes that both types of evaluation have limitations, which arise because
these evaluation processes seek to measure the immeasurable. Until evaluation processes
emerge that can measure changes in the non-quantifiable, organizations will continue to
waste their finite resources.