Anecdote as Evidence
When discussing with clients potential sources of data about a program’s operations and effects, it has often been said to me, “But we just have
Year: 2014
Evaluation Research Interviews: Just Like Good Conversations
Qualitative research interviews are a critical component of program evaluations. In-person and telephone interviews are especially valuable because they allow the evaluator to participate in
Why You Hate Work
In a recent New York Times article, “Why You Hate Work” Tony Schwartz and Christin Porath discuss why employees’ experience of work has increasingly become
Evaluation Reporting: True Stories, Well Told
In a recent, themed issue devoted to the topic of validity in program evaluation, the journal New Directions in Evaluation (No. 142, Summer, 2014) revisited and commented on Ernest
Program Evaluation vs. Social Research
I recently participated in a workshop at Brandeis University for graduate students who were considering non-academic careers in the social sciences. During the workshop, one
What You Need to Know About Outcome Evaluations: The Basics
In her book Evaluation (2nd Edition) Carol Weiss writes, “Outcomes define what the program intends to achieve.” (p.117) Outcomes are the results or changes that occur, either
Focus Groups
Pioneered by market researchers and mid-20th century sociologists, focus groups are a qualitative research method that involves small groups of people in guided discussions about
Needs Assessment
A needs assessment is a systematic research and planning process for determining the discrepancy between an actual condition or state of affairs, and a future desired condition
Helpful Resources: Program Evaluation Supports Strategic Planning
As mentioned in a previous blog post, program evaluation can play an important role in an organization’s strategic planning initiatives. This is especially true in
Questions Before Methods
Like other research initiatives, each program evaluation should begin with a question, or series of questions that the evaluation seeks to answer. (See my previous
Anecdote as Evidence
When discussing with clients potential sources of data about a program’s operations and effects, it has often been said to me, “But we just have
Evaluation Research Interviews: Just Like Good Conversations
Qualitative research interviews are a critical component of program evaluations. In-person and telephone interviews are especially valuable because they allow the evaluator to participate in
Why You Hate Work
In a recent New York Times article, “Why You Hate Work” Tony Schwartz and Christin Porath discuss why employees’ experience of work has increasingly become
Evaluation Reporting: True Stories, Well Told
In a recent, themed issue devoted to the topic of validity in program evaluation, the journal New Directions in Evaluation (No. 142, Summer, 2014) revisited and commented on Ernest
Program Evaluation vs. Social Research
I recently participated in a workshop at Brandeis University for graduate students who were considering non-academic careers in the social sciences. During the workshop, one
What You Need to Know About Outcome Evaluations: The Basics
In her book Evaluation (2nd Edition) Carol Weiss writes, “Outcomes define what the program intends to achieve.” (p.117) Outcomes are the results or changes that occur, either
Focus Groups
Pioneered by market researchers and mid-20th century sociologists, focus groups are a qualitative research method that involves small groups of people in guided discussions about
Needs Assessment
A needs assessment is a systematic research and planning process for determining the discrepancy between an actual condition or state of affairs, and a future desired condition
Helpful Resources: Program Evaluation Supports Strategic Planning
As mentioned in a previous blog post, program evaluation can play an important role in an organization’s strategic planning initiatives. This is especially true in
Questions Before Methods
Like other research initiatives, each program evaluation should begin with a question, or series of questions that the evaluation seeks to answer. (See my previous
Anecdote as Evidence
When discussing with clients potential sources of data about a program’s operations and effects, it has often been said to me, “But we just have
Evaluation Research Interviews: Just Like Good Conversations
Qualitative research interviews are a critical component of program evaluations. In-person and telephone interviews are especially valuable because they allow the evaluator to participate in
Why You Hate Work
In a recent New York Times article, “Why You Hate Work” Tony Schwartz and Christin Porath discuss why employees’ experience of work has increasingly become
Evaluation Reporting: True Stories, Well Told
In a recent, themed issue devoted to the topic of validity in program evaluation, the journal New Directions in Evaluation (No. 142, Summer, 2014) revisited and commented on Ernest
Program Evaluation vs. Social Research
I recently participated in a workshop at Brandeis University for graduate students who were considering non-academic careers in the social sciences. During the workshop, one
What You Need to Know About Outcome Evaluations: The Basics
In her book Evaluation (2nd Edition) Carol Weiss writes, “Outcomes define what the program intends to achieve.” (p.117) Outcomes are the results or changes that occur, either
Focus Groups
Pioneered by market researchers and mid-20th century sociologists, focus groups are a qualitative research method that involves small groups of people in guided discussions about
Needs Assessment
A needs assessment is a systematic research and planning process for determining the discrepancy between an actual condition or state of affairs, and a future desired condition
Helpful Resources: Program Evaluation Supports Strategic Planning
As mentioned in a previous blog post, program evaluation can play an important role in an organization’s strategic planning initiatives. This is especially true in
Questions Before Methods
Like other research initiatives, each program evaluation should begin with a question, or series of questions that the evaluation seeks to answer. (See my previous