| No formula can guarantee
a flawless and definitive evaluation result. Together
with a command of analytic and statistical methods,
the evaluator needs the ability and resources to view
the project in its larger context (the real world of
real people), in order to make informed judgments about
outcomes that can be attributed to project activities.
In the end, even at the risk of disappointing stakeholders
and funding agencies, the evaluator must make
it known if (s)he |
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feels that available data
do not enable him/her to give an unqualified or positive
outcome assessment.1
As you near the end of your analysis, be sure you have
done each of the following:
- Describe the target population and the sample that
actually participated in the evaluation. Note how
the two differ.
- Enumerate the limitations of the data collected.
- Share the preliminary results with each of the stakeholders.
- Identify the most valid findings.
- Identify the most important findings for answering
each evaluation question.
- Make sure each evaluation question is answered,
and that the evaluation objective is met.
- Choose the best method of presentation for each
finding.
- Discuss the “why” behind each of the
findings with the stakeholders.
- Gather suggestions for “next steps”
and other recommendations.
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1. Source: Stevens, F., Lawrenz, F.,
& Sharp, L. (n.d.). Design, data collection and
data analysis. In: User-friendly handbook for project
evaluation: Science, mathematics, engineering and technology
education (pp. 31-58). Arlington, VA: National
Science Foundation, Directorate for Education and Human
Resources.
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