In program evaluation, what does the term 'impact evaluation' typically measure?

Impact evaluation focuses on assessing the long-term benefits and effects of a program or intervention. It goes beyond immediate outputs and outcomes to determine how effectively a program has achieved its ultimate goals and how it has contributed to broader changes in the community or population over time. This type of evaluation looks at the sustained effects of a program, including changes in attitudes, behaviors, or conditions that result from the program's activities.

In the context of program evaluation, understanding the long-term benefits allows stakeholders to gauge the program's effectiveness in achieving its intended impact and to make informed decisions regarding future funding, program design, and the application of successful strategies in related areas.

The other options, while measuring important aspects of a program, do not align with the primary focus of impact evaluation; immediate outcomes, operational efficiency, and participant satisfaction are typically assessed in different types of evaluations, such as outcome evaluations or process evaluations.