Evaluation Methods

It is a structured discussion with pre-selected individuals intended to collect information or gauge opinion on a specific issue or idea.

• Focus group

• Interview

• Survey

A method of gathering information from a representative sample of participants/groups. Information is collected by means of standardized procedures so that every individual is asked the same questions in more or less the same way.

• Focus group

• Survey

• Interview

A structured process which allows your peers to (often anonymously) review specific aspects of your work. Here committees provide feedback on individual, team or organizational performance.

• Focus group

• Survey

• Peer review

It is a form of experimental research that focuses on the effects of the researcher's direct actions within a participating community with the goal of improving the performance of the community.

• Peer review

• Focus group

• Action Research

This approach surveys a large number of individuals and applies statistical techniques to recognize overall patterns in the relations of processes. Importantly, the use of surveys can be done across groups.

Using survey methods across a large group of individuals enables generalization.

• Quantitative approach

• Qualitative approach

• Benchmarking

It is the process of comparing your performance to that of other leading organizations, groups or communities. It is often used as a longitudinal measure of change.

• Quantitative approach

• Qualitative approach

• Benchmarking

Using open-ended questions and interviews allows researchers and practitioners to understand how individuals are doing, what their experiences are, and recognize important antecedents and outcomes of interest that might not surface when surveyed with pre-determined questions.

• Quantitative approach

• Qualitative approach

• Benchmarking

An........can be conducted face to face or by telephone, and even using computer based methods such as messaging or video-conferencing. It is developed one to one or small group (e.g. focus group) question and answer sessions aimed at gathering both facts and insights.

Learning occurs when we take in information, think about it, make sense of it, and fit it in with what we already know. Reflective writing using a journal has the potential to provide us with a systematic approach to our development as reflective, critical and constructive learners.

• True

• False

The most basic (and essential) form of measure, simply counting the number of participants, the nature of participation, and the obvious results of that participation. In community development, counts of the time invested in various elements of programs and projects against the results of that activity is an important measure for budget allocation and forecasting.

• True

• False