Evaluation Planning
Oftentimes planning gets overlooked, as people focus on the nitty gritty of data collection or analysis. Without giving enough to properly plan, resources may be over utilized or underutilized, the wrong outcomes might be assessed, unfeasible targets set, etc. It is critical to the success of your program or project that you spend enough time on this phase.
Community Engagement
What is it? Community engagement, as defined by the CDC[1], is “the process of working collaboratively with groups of people who are affiliated by geographic proximity, special interests, or similar situations with respect to issues affecting their wellbeing.” Communities can be understood as either those affected by a particular issue (for example, health issue) or as a group of stakeholders that has its own particular culture and norms. In practice, community engagement blends scientific disciplines and organizing concepts with the necessary understanding, skills, and sensitivities to fit the community of interest and purpose. Typically, within community engagement programs, there are two types of evaluation:
- Participatory Evaluation — actively engages the community in all stages of the evaluation process
- Empowerment Evaluation — helps to equip program personnel with the necessary skills to conduct their own evaluation and ensure that the program runs effectively
Whichever strategy or approach to community engagement in evaluation is selected, it is important to fully engage stakeholders in the process. They should be involved from the beginning, in the planning stages, and should be consulted throughout the evaluation from design, through data collection. Embracing cultural diversity and remaining humble through the process is key to ensuring that the right evaluation constructs and concepts are measured. Our consultants can help you frame your community engagement evaluations.
How can we help you?
- Determine and keep the focus on program stakeholder needs
- Build flexible evaluation designs
- Adapt evidence-based strategies to local environments and culture
- Build capacity of program staff to improve their ability to conduct their own evaluations
[1] Source: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pce_execsummary.html
Related Services
Lessons Learned
Lessons learned are experiences, knowledge, understandings, or outcomes gained by experience from a particular project or program that should be taken into account on future projects or programs.
Learn MoreMonitoring & Evaluation
Coaches have experience and expertise to support the learning and tasks of the people that need help.
Learn MoreEvaluation Coaching & Training
Coaches have experience and expertise to support the learning and tasks of the people that need help.
Learn MoreEvaluation Logic Models
A logic model is a one-page, compelling graphic (your road map) that tells the reader/reviewer exactly what, when, where, why, and how.
Learn MoreArticles and White Papers About Community Engagement
How Do We Conduct Feasible, Cost-Effective Data Collection
Articles and White Papers About Feasibility How Do We Conduct Feasible, Cost-Effective Data Collection Articles and White Papers About Feasibility Case Study: Apprenticeship Program Evaluation Conducting a statistically representative comprehensive program evaluation which includes conducting a comprehensive evaluation for two workforce development programs and work with each of the vendors...
Read More
Why Include the Field in Decision-Making?
Articles and White Papers About Cultural Context Do We Really Need That? Customized vs. Generic Surveys Read More How Do We Conduct Feasible, Cost-Effective Data Collection Read More Why Include the Field in Decision-Making? Articles and White Papers About Concept Paper The Role of Data Analysis in Funder Selection: 10...
Read More
Who’s On Your Team? Collaboration in planning program evaluation
Articles and White Papers About Monitoring & Evaluation To RCT or Not? Randomized Control Trials in Nonprofit Work Read More Whose Job is it to Evaluate? Read More The Problem with Relying Solely on Dashboards Read More Finalizing Reports: Statements of Differences Read More Load More
Read MoreWhy is Cultural Competence Critical to Evaluation
Articles and White Papers About Evaluation Goals Whose Job is it to Evaluate? Read More Delivering Strong M&E Reports Read More What Are You Actually Measuring? Selecting the Right Indicator to Measure Progress Read More Coaching for Evaluation Priorities Read More Load More
Read MoreFAQ About Community Engagement
The major advantages of longitudinal analysis are that you can assess change or show clear patterns, as there are multiple time points of data collection. The major disadvantages are that this type of study takes longer to do, is more expensive, and is more limited in terms of breadth of experience.
It can depend on the specific project, but typically focus groups are best composed by homogenous groups, or groups of people who share common attributes. The commonalities shared by a group should be determined by the evaluation goals, the topics being explored, and the cultural context of the evaluation.
During the development of a new program or when an existing program is being modified for a new population.
Goal-based evaluation, outcome evaluation, impact evaluation, cost-effectiveness, and cost benefit analysis.
Conferences will usually provide their own guidelines for presenting your work. More and more, conferences are moving away from highly text-heavy presentations and icon-graphics. They center more heavily on key findings in layperson terms, with supporting documentation related to your actual methods. Simplicity and an effective use of white space are key.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas