In a formative evaluation of a smoking cessation program, which metric should be included?

• A. Number of attendees who have attended smoking cessation workshops since program implementation
• B. Number of people who have quit smoking
• C. Increase in knowledge test scores
• D. Budget expenditures

Answer: (A)

Formative evaluation focuses on how a program is being delivered and whether it is reaching the people it aims to help. The most useful metric here is the number of people who have attended the smoking cessation workshops since the program started. This directly shows reach and engagement, exposing gaps in accessibility, recruitment, or scheduling so you can adjust the delivery to bring more participants on board. It provides immediate, actionable feedback to improve implementation.

Tracking how many have quit smoking measures actual outcomes and long-term effectiveness, which is typically assessed through summative evaluation after the program has run. An increase in knowledge test scores reflects learning but doesn’t guarantee participation or behavior change in the near term. Budget expenditures speak to resources used and efficiency, not how well the program is being delivered or who is being reached.