| Overview
Evaluation is a systematic
approach to assess the design, implementation, and utility of program.
It is an integral part of Extension’s program development process
– and is necessary to ensure that programming remains relevant,
timely, and effective.
Evaluation
is valuable tool for . . .
• determining if a program is effective in achieving its
objectives.
• knowing how lives were changed (impact).
• modifying programs that are not working according to plan or take
advantage of something that is working exceptionally well (improvement).
• helping develop new efforts.
• accountability (reporting to stakeholders).
• encouragement
Basic steps for planning and implementing an evaluation:
| PLANNING
AN EVALUATION |
- What type
of evaluation to conduct? (defining the objectives of information
gathering)
- When to
collect data? (selecting an evaluation strategy)
- How to
collect data? (data collection method)
- Who to
include in the evaluation? (census and/or sample)
|
| IMPLEMENTING
AN EVALUATION |
- Sampling
Frame Issues
----Defining a sampling frame
----Assemble a sampling frame
----Develop a sampling plan
----Implement a sampling plan
- Data
Collection Forms
----Questionnaire design (or other
data collection - --------
-----form)
----Develop protocols and delivery
procedures
----Forms handling
- Processing
& Analysis
----Data entry
----Data processing
----Data analysis
|
| INTERPRETATION |
- Developing
inferences / conclusions
- Interpretation
/ Communicating Results / Telling the Story
- Using
evaluation results in program planning
|
A more detailed version of these steps is provided here, as an “Evaluation
Roadmap.”
|
