In a program evaluation, what does “efficiency” typically measure?

Efficiency in program evaluation specifically measures the ratio of resources consumed to the outcomes achieved. This means assessing how well a program uses its available resources—such as time, money, and personnel—to produce desired results or outcomes. In public health, understanding this ratio is crucial as it reflects not only the effectiveness of the interventions but also their cost-effectiveness.

By focusing on efficiency, evaluators can identify whether the health program is making the best use of its resources. A highly efficient program will achieve significant health outcomes with minimal resource expenditure, whereas a less efficient program might require more resources to achieve the same results.

The other options touch upon various aspects of health programs but do not accurately capture the essence of what efficiency measures. Quality relates to the standard and effectiveness of the interventions, involvement of volunteers pertains to human resources, and volunteer opportunities focus on the availability of roles within programs. None of these options directly relate to the measurement of resource utilization in relation to outcomes, making the correct answer a critical aspect of effective program evaluation.