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
Category: Models/Tools
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
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
Interpersonal Skills Enhance Program Evaluation
Evaluator competencies—the skills, knowledge and attitudes— required to be an effective program evaluator have been much discussed. (See, for example, The International Board of Standards
Developmental Evaluation: Evaluating Programs in the Real World’s Complex and Unpredictable Environment
Programs are seldom implemented under pristine laboratory conditions. Instead, they occur in the real world, in real time. They unfold in complex environments, with ever-changing
Helping Community Foundations Strengthen Grantees Effectiveness
In our last blog post, Evaluation Serving Community Foundations and Donors, we discussed the value of program evaluation to community foundations, especially as a means
Evaluation Workflow
Typically, we work with clients from the early stages of program development in order to understand their organization’s needs and the needs of program funders
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
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
Interpersonal Skills Enhance Program Evaluation
Evaluator competencies—the skills, knowledge and attitudes— required to be an effective program evaluator have been much discussed. (See, for example, The International Board of Standards
Developmental Evaluation: Evaluating Programs in the Real World’s Complex and Unpredictable Environment
Programs are seldom implemented under pristine laboratory conditions. Instead, they occur in the real world, in real time. They unfold in complex environments, with ever-changing
Helping Community Foundations Strengthen Grantees Effectiveness
In our last blog post, Evaluation Serving Community Foundations and Donors, we discussed the value of program evaluation to community foundations, especially as a means
Evaluation Workflow
Typically, we work with clients from the early stages of program development in order to understand their organization’s needs and the needs of program funders
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
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
Interpersonal Skills Enhance Program Evaluation
Evaluator competencies—the skills, knowledge and attitudes— required to be an effective program evaluator have been much discussed. (See, for example, The International Board of Standards
Developmental Evaluation: Evaluating Programs in the Real World’s Complex and Unpredictable Environment
Programs are seldom implemented under pristine laboratory conditions. Instead, they occur in the real world, in real time. They unfold in complex environments, with ever-changing
Helping Community Foundations Strengthen Grantees Effectiveness
In our last blog post, Evaluation Serving Community Foundations and Donors, we discussed the value of program evaluation to community foundations, especially as a means
Evaluation Workflow
Typically, we work with clients from the early stages of program development in order to understand their organization’s needs and the needs of program funders