Information sheets: Evaluation advocates

This series of seven information sheets compiles examples and strategies from evaluation advocates on how they increased the engagement of the people with whom they were working on evaluation initiatives.

The information was derived from research with non-evaluators in non-profit organisations who were interested in evaluation.

This resource and the following information were contributed by Alison Rogers.

Authors and their affiliation

Alison Rogers, Deakin University

Key features

The sheets include a field guide to help identify evaluation advocates, strategies for promoting evaluation, and examples of how participants attempted to make their evaluation initiatives sustainable. There is also an information sheet that provides an overview of the research design and key references. The information sheets include:

1. Overview
2. A Field Guide for Evaluation Advocates
3. Finding Shared Goals
4. Providing Encouragement
5. Being Inclusive
6. Working Towards Sustainability
7. Research Design and Resources

How have you used or intend to use this resource?

The compendium of examples may be useful for stimulating ideas, sharing with communities of practice, assessing the similarities and differences with real world experience, or discussing the applicability with colleagues. Derived from collaborative qualitative research engaged with participants working in Australian human and social service non-profit organisations to generate knowledge about the activities, strategies, motivations, and attributes of individuals who championed and advocated for evaluation. The resulting field guide for identifying evaluation advocates could provide guidance around how to encourage colleagues to do something they may not want to do by supporting cooperative teamwork.

Why would you recommend it to other people?

These information sheets may enable evaluators and decision makers to engage with non-evaluators and invite involvement using the term "advocate" instead of "champion", which may be more acceptable and appropriate. The field guide and definition may enable advocates to recognise that they offer a unique and valued skillset and enables them to self-identify, self-assess, and find pathways into evaluation. This research may also enable evaluators and decision makers to recruit, retain, support, and develop advocates.