Evaluation Data Analysis
Data analysis for evaluation is about looking for and investigating patterns through either quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (textual and/or visual) data. If using both kinds of data, considerations must be given to how these methods will be combined to enrich, examine, explain, and triangulate findings.
Evaluation Data Visualization
What is it? Data visualization is determining in what way you will display your data (visually). The data visualization step comes before reporting because you need to consider how to communicate the data to your audience within a report or presentation. Do you want to see relationships among data points (ex. matrix chart, scatterplot, etc.)? Do you want to track increases and decreases over time (ex. line graph, stacked graph, etc.)? Do you want to see parts of a whole (ex. pie chart, treemap, etc.)? Do you want to analyze a text (ex. word tree, word cloud, etc.)? Do you want to see the world (ex. geotagging, GIS mapping, etc.)?
When trying to convey key insights, here are some tips:
- Invite others to review the data (perspectives matter)
- Be a critic of the data (analyze from various angles)
- Be mindful of your visual’s aesthetics (people like to see beautiful things)
- Focus on trends (don’t get caught up in data minutia)
- Use and compare time points (be sure they are comparable ranges)
- Look for strong relationships between variables (correlations, etc.)
If done right, data visualization tells your data’s story. Our consultants can help you determine which visuals can best convey your findings and message.
How can we help you?
- Identify the types of data that need to be reported
- Identify in what format data needs to be presented
- Determine the systematic approach and focus for reporting data
- Set up the data visualization structures in Excel, SPSS, NVivo, etc.
- Set up analysis plan and database plan
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Read MoreFAQ About Evaluation Data Visualization
The process is similar to how research analysis would be conducted, in that an evaluation and coordinating analysis plan would be developed early on in project planning, both tied to key analysis questions that drive the methods used.
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.
Semi-structured interviewing is the most common type, which includes an interview guide with pre-determined open-ended questions, but also the flexibility of allowing spontaenuous follow-up questions and probing to yield in-depth data.
During the development of a new program or when an existing program is being modified for a new population.
Lessons learned should come from multiple sources, not just a single source, so that the information gained can be reinforced and triangulated.
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