Evaluation Methods

A triple column/row theory of change diagram shows the causal pathway in terms of intermediate outcomes, activities that directly produce these, and the influence of other factors and

Memos and journals are useful tools to support reflection, record-keeping, and rigour throughout qualitative data analysis.

Outlier sampling focuses on the extremes – the end-points of the normal distribution bell-curve.

Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) compares the relative costs of the outcomes of two or more courses of action and is considered an alternative to cost-benefit analysis (CBA). 

Q-methodology (also known as Q-sort) is the systematic study of participant viewpoints.

A good poster communicates your message clearly, quickly and succinctly.

‘Examining’ refers to generating hypotheses from qualitative work to be tested through the quantitative approach.

A formal contract is needed to engage an external evaluator and a written agreement covering similar issues can also be used to document agreements about an internal evaluator.

This strategy requires management leadership and uses the rule of thumb approach to estimate the percentage of project funds to spend on evaluation which could be done more accurately

You may also consider approaching a foundation or other donor agency for the funds to undertake an evaluation.

Coaching can involve supporting an individual during training or development in order for them to reach a specific personal or professional goal, or providing expert and practical help

A data use calendar is produced to guide the collection of data and reporting requirements, as well as ensuring that analysis and evaluation data is actively used.

An award is a formal recognition by peers of outstanding individuals or practice.

Learning alliances involve a structured partnership between two or more organisations with the aim of working together to build and share knowledge around topics of mutual interest.

This option uses a series of still photographs or videos taken over a period of time to discern changes taking place in the environment or activities of a community.

A time series is a collection of observations of well-defined data items obtained through repeated measurements over time.

A ‘reputation monitoring dashboard’ allows users to monitor and quickly appraise reputational trends at a glance and from a variety of different sources.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a set of time bound and quantified goals and targets developed to help track progress in eradicating poverty. 

Episode studies are an excellent way of investigating the influence of research on policy.

Using the findings from evaluation and research studies conducted on the same or closely related areas is an important first step for evaluation planning.