Welcome to The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer!

The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer is a series of online educational tools produced by the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium (TTAC). These tools are designed to help tobacco control professionals demonstrate the success of their programs through evaluation. This series will give those who are new to evaluation, and those who want to brush up on their skills, access to a collection of introductory information, tools, and resources from experts in the field. The Power of Proof series includes these parts:

Part 1: Setting The Stage

Setting The Stage is the first part of nine to be released in this series and covers what you need to know before getting started. It includes what evaluation is, why evaluation is important to a program’s success, when it should take place, how you can plan for effortless evaluations, and how to complete the first step: defining your program using logic models.

To begin Part 1, Setting the Stage, click here.

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Part 2: Evaluation Planning

Evaluation Planning is the second installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. In the first installment, Setting the Stage, you were given explanations for what evaluation is, why it’s important to a program’s success, when it should take place, how you can plan for effortless evaluations, and how to complete the first step: defining your program using logic models.

To begin Part 2, Evaluation Planning, click here.

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Part 3: Writing Evaluation Objectives

Writing Evaluation Objectives is the third installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. In the last two installments, we provided information about what evaluation is and how to plan for it. In this installment, we will concentrate on one of the most important parts of planning: writing clear and measurable evaluation objectives.We have touched briefly on objective writing in each of the previous installments. However, since having a clear picture of what you want to get out of it is the backbone of any meaningful, successful evaluation, we wanted to offer you some extra tips and tools for doing it well.

To begin Part 3, Writing Evaluation Objectives, click here.

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Part 4: Data Collection

Data Collection is the fourth installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. In the last three installments, we provided information about what evaluation is, how to plan for it, and how to write clear and measurable evaluation objectives.

In this installment, we will discuss what's involved in collecting data for program evaluation, the variety of data collection methods available to you, which methods will get the best information for your needs, suggestions for choosing and designing your data collection instruments, and valuable process tips and samples of tools.

This section provides information on the following:

  • An overview of data collection for evaluation
  • Preparing to collect data
  • Data collection methods at-a-glance
  • Everything you need to know about these data collection methods to get started:
    • Individual Interviews
    • Focus Groups
    • Observation
    • Questionnaires
  • Tips for best results
  • Valuable resources

To begin Part 4, Data Collection, click here.

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Part 5: Types of Evaluation

Types of Evaluation is the fifth installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. In the last four installments, we provided information about what evaluation is, how to plan for it, how to write clear and measurable evaluation objectives, and methods and tools for collecting data.

Earlier in the Power of Proof program we introduced several types of evaluations and provided a snapshot of what each has to offer. In this installment, we will further discuss the four primary types of evaluation by including the following:

  • An overview of formative evaluation, process evaluation, short-term outcome evaluation, and long-term outcome evaluation
  • A formula for identifying which type of evaluation is best suited for your needs
  • Details about what’s involved in, how to prepare for, and ways to get the most out of each type of evaluation
  • Tools and links for more information

To begin Part 5, Types of Evaluation, click here.

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Part 6: Interpreting the Data

Interpreting the Data is the sixth installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. So far in this program, you have been given the information and tools for conducting an evaluation to gather the most useful data possible. In the last five installments, we provided you with information about what evaluation is, how to plan for it, how to write clear and measurable evaluation objectives, methods and tools for collecting data, and an in-depth look at the different types of evaluation.

So, what happens now? How can you begin to make sound decisions about your program from the data you have collected? Making sense of the data is the next important step in proving the worth of your program. In this section you will find examples of how to process, analyze, and make decisions about, data collected in your evaluation. It will include the following parts:

  • Identify Who Needs to be Involved
  • Review Evaluation Objectives
  • Create an Analysis Plan
  • Get to Know the Data
  • Prepare and Focus the Data
  • Analyze the Data
    • Qualitative Data Analysis
    • Quantitative Data Analysis
  • Interpret the Data
  • Select a Data Presentation Format
  • Avoid Analysis Pitfalls
  • Putting It All Together
  • Tips for Best Results
  • Valuable Resources

To begin Part 6, Interpreting the Data, click here.

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Part 7: Reporting Results

Reporting Results is the seventh, and final, installment in the evaluation series The Power of Proof: An Evaluation Primer. In the last six installments, we provided you with information about what evaluation is, how to plan for it, how to write clear and measurable evaluation objectives, methods and tools for collecting data, an in-depth look at the different types of evaluation, and methods and tools for interpreting the data.

In this final section, we provide practical guidelines for communicating your evaluation findings to a variety of audiences. Reporting Results includes the following parts:

  • Goal(s) of Your Report
  • Report Recipients
  • Types of Reports
  • Parts of a Report
  • Putting the Report Together
  • Tips for Best Results
  • Valuable Resources

To begin Part 7, Reporting Results, click here.

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