What is evaluation?
Up one levelSummary of contents:
References and Hand-Outs
Trainer’s outline: What is evaluation?
Approach
- Go through the why and the what.
- Distinguish evaluation from research
- Use the research comparison to highlight the main elements of evaluation
Why evaluate?
- To determine efficiency, effectiveness & appropriateness.
- To highlight good & bad practice.
- To correct mistakes.
- To ensure optimum investment.
- To learn.
What is evaluation?
Evaluation is the determination of merit, value, or significance. A project may be successful in reaching its goals but of what merit are those goals? The merit of a programme lies in the extent to which it does something worthwhile for someone who needs it, maybe not even the people for which it was planned. It is primarily a term that reflects the perspective of the consumer or the external evaluator.Planning an evaluation
Key questions:- What are we evaluating?
- How do we collect data?
- How do we make judgements based on data?
- How do we represent judgements?
- Linkages to further steps
- What are we evaluating – dimensions of performance
- How do we collect data - links to performance indicators
- How do we make judgements - links to performance criteria and performance standards
- How do we represent judgements – evaluation products
Why Measure Outcomes?
In growing numbers, service providers, governments, other funders, and the public are calling for clearer evidence that the resources they expend actually produce benefits for people. Consumers of services and volunteers who provide services want to know that programs to which they devote their time really make a difference. That is, they want better accountability for the use of resources. One clear and compelling answer to the question of "Why measure outcomes” is to see if programs really make a difference in the lives of people.Although improved accountability has been a major force behind the move to outcome measurement, there is an even more important reason: To help programs improve services. Outcome measurement provides a learning loop that feeds information back into programs on how well they are doing. It offers findings they can use to adapt, improve, and become more effective.
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References and Hand-Outs
- This area contains links to external references and resources, as well as downloadable handouts
