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)
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 Process Evaluation
Whose Job is it to Evaluate?
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 Articles and White Papers About Monitoring & Evaluation Case Study: Apprenticeship Program Evaluation Conducting a...
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Principles for Selecting the Right Outcome Indicators
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Read MoreTheories of Change
Articles and White Papers About Logic Models Baselines: The Bottom Line Read More Technology Troubleshooting in M&E Read More M&E and Technology Read More Theories of Change Read More Load More
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Should You Be Scared of Low Performance?
Articles and White Papers About Outcome Evaluation How Do You Conduct a Needs Assessment? Articles and White Papers About Need Assessments How Do You Conduct a Needs Assessment? Read More Why Should You Think About Needs Assessments? Read More Needs Assessments: Their Importance In Times of Crisis Read More Needs...
Read MoreFAQ About Process Evaluation
The number of questions depends on an evaluation’s purpose and goals, and the type of questions being asked. It is important that before you launch a survey, you test it with a sample to ensure it is understandable and reasonable in length. Ideally, surveys should take no longer than 15 minutes for respondents to complete.
As soon as a program is implemented, and during program implementation.
Lessons learned should come from multiple sources, not just a single source, so that the information gained can be reinforced and triangulated.
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.
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Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas