The goals and objectives of any program help determine the evaluation design. Goals are desired outcomes, whereas objectives are the means to achieving these outcomes. Objective-based evaluation determines the degree to which program objectives were met and, in turn, the degree to which program goals were accomplished. Discrepancy as defined is the degree of variation of change in behavior on an expected-to-actual continuum.

Discrepancy as defined is the degree of variation of change in behavior on an expected-to-actual continuum. Measurable or behavioral objectives assess change in behavior. Well-written behavioral objectives contain the following components: when, who, what, how, and why. Evaluators either develop or assess existing project objectives and select an evaluation design that is most appropriate to assess the process, product, or effect of the objective.

Instruments and data analysis techniques used to measure program outcomes are selected after the evaluation design is chosen. Instruments may be standardized tests or self-made tests, interviews, questionnaires, rating sales, and observations. Concerns over reliability and validity are important and need to be addressed.