My Inner Evaluation Demons
We all have our inner evaluation demons. In my quest towards evaluation use, I encounter this little angel and demon on a near-daily basis.
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Ideas for Interactive Focus Groups
My teammate and I are running a focus group in a couple weeks. The group will be large (about 17 people) and will be with working professionals (mid-20s through mid-40s). We’d like to add a few interactive elements to this focus group so that people have a variety of ways to express themselves, move around, and have some fun. Here’s our running list for activities to use during interactive focus groups.
More »Researchers vs. Evaluators: How Much Do We Have in Common?
A few years ago, I (unintentionally) accepted an evaluation position, and the contrast between research and evaluation hit me like a brick. Now, I’m fully adapted to the evaluation field, but a few of my researcher friends have asked me to blog about the similarities and differences between researchers and evaluators. We might use the same statistical formulas and methods, and we often write reports at the end of projects. But our approaches, motivations, priorities, and questions are a little different.
More »Should Evaluators Share Statistical Results During Evaluation Conferences?
While polling others about memorable presentations has led me to wonder is it ever acceptable to share the results of your evaluation study when you’re presenting to other evaluators? Under what circumstances? Here’s my guidance so far.
More »Is the Evaluation Hurting the Program?
There were some great guest speakers at the 2012 Eastern Evaluation Research Society conference but one speaker’s comments are still going through my mind. Rodney Hopson commented that he wonders whether evaluators/the evaluation are actually hurting the program rather than helping it.
More »We are Seeing the Same Thing: Potent Presenters Connect with Their Audience
As part of the American Evaluation Association’s Potent Presentations Initiative, I’ve been asking people to think about some of the most memorable presentations that they’ve seen and guest blogger, Mika Yoder Yamashita is sharing hers.
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