Nonprofit Articles

Although many would this improbable, it is possible for nonprofits to have timely, sound, and actionable data that you can trust and share confidently with those on the outside, securing credibility and funding. Part 2 of this article highlights how good research is rarely a yes or no answer, but more of how much and why.

Although many would this improbable, it is possible for nonprofits to have timely, sound, and actionable data that you can trust and share confidently with those on the outside, securing credibility and funding. Part 1 of this article highlights some overarching and quite critical considerations for conducting a balanced approach to research as a nonprofit.

One of the key components to a successful dissertation and defense is a good relationship with your chairperson and other committee members. One common disparity between students and their committee is a mismatch of the writing process.

Traditional forms of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) focused on measurement, making judgements about programs, and generally were oriented towards the needs of funders or policy makers. While these approaches have elements of benefit, they rarely involve beneficiaries or those working in the programs themselves, and as such, beneficiaries and staff feel a lack of ownership over their results and may not engage or use them. Organizations can and should revive their M&E programs so that they can be more responsive and better-suited to address beneficiaries’ needs and (real life) contexts.

Good research is rarely a yes or no answer, but more of how much and why. And the key to good and useful data is asking the right questions. Although simple in concept, asking the right questions is more complicated than it appears. Take the time to get the right questions in place, and be sure that all of your stakeholders (funders, leadership, management, and even your beneficiaries) have input and agree on the questions asked. Agreement is key.

Collaborative writing, or co-writing, refers to projects where more than one person creates written work. This kind of co-writing is common in the science fields, but traditionally unusual in the humanities and social sciences fields.