Evaluation Design
Evaluation design is the structure that allows you to collect and analyze the data needed to answer your evaluation questions. It is important that the evaluation design align with your logic model, goals, research questions, available resources, and (funder) requirements.
Process Evaluation
What is it? As the name implies, process evaluation is evaluating a specific or set of processes connected to an activity. The goals of this type of evaluation are to document how the program is doing, document how and to what extent the program has been implemented, and, much like formative evaluation, offer recommendations on how to improve the operational side of the program. In terms of design, common methods include reviewing program documents, records, and administrative data, conducting interviews and focus groups, and direct observation. The methods used will be dependent on your evaluation questions. You will want to choose quantitative methods if you are trying to decipher How many? How much? How often? What is the average…? What percentage? Qualitative measures would be used if you are trying to learn what worked best? What didn’t work? What do the numbers mean? How was this useful?
Our consultants can help you build the necessary non-experimental process design to improve your program, as well as meet your organizational (and funder, if applicable) requirements.
How can we help you?
- Identify an appropriate process evaluation design to help you improve your implementation efforts
- Determine the type of evaluation design needed for your evaluation
- Experimental (impact design)
- Quasi-experimental (impact design)
- Non-experimental (process design, outcome design)
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Lessons Learned
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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 Process Evaluation
Whose Job is it to Evaluate?
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Read MorePrinciples for Selecting the Right Outcome Indicators
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Read MoreFAQ About Process Evaluation
Some best practices include basing recommendations on evaluation results, involving key stakeholders in making recommendations, and using clear and specific language in writing recommendations.
This depends on the type of data you have and your target audience, but there are many options when it comes to data visualization. A few examples include Tableau, SAS, and Nvivo.
If future reporting is easy and quicker due to development of standardized data processing and presentation elements.
Data can be collected through the use of standardized checklists or observation guides, or through hand-written or voice-recorded field notes that collect open-ended narrative data.
No, not all surveys need to be written in Likert format. The advantage, however, is being able to quantify change. If you are assessing outcome change, Likert scale options are a great way to be able to show a demonstrated change, if any, between two time periods.
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