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.