Comments on: How Do You Visualize Evaluation?

By: Sheila B Robinson, Ed. D

Sheila B Robinson, Ed. D — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:34:56 +0000

I don’t think there is a right or wrong. I think evaluation is cyclical at times, linear at times, and quite frankly…just plain jumps around at times! I like this collection of eval graphics (makes me want to go searching for even more). I regularly share the CDC and UWEX models with my grad students.

By: Wright Evaluation, LLC

Wright Evaluation, LLC — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:14:24 +0000

I also see it as both. For a particular set of evaluation questions, you you go through a series of steps to get the information. Then hopefully the results are used in further developing the program and spread to others who are working on similar goals, those results are evaluated, and more is learned. Ideally, as the cycle continues, we get better solutions to the problem.

By: Isaac Castillo (@isaac_outcomes)

Isaac Castillo (@isaac_outcomes) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:53:49 +0000

Is it wrong to answer ‘both’? The whole process is a cycle, made up of several distinct steps. But within those steps, it is linear.
Using the CDC example above – the first step in the cycle in engage stakeholders. But within that step, there is a linear process.

By: Leslie Ayre-Jaschke

Leslie Ayre-Jaschke — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:45:40 +0000

I see evaluation (as most things in life) as cyclical. I’m really challenged to see anything as strictly linear, but agree that there are instances where a linear layout may better communicate a process that has a more definite beginning and end (although my brain would still be seeing the iterative, back-and-forth potential within and between each of the steps). Looking forward to your course next week.