Articles
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How We Evaluated: Our Own 4-Day Work Week Pilot
Discover the insights and outcomes of Three Hive Consulting’s evaluation of their 4-Day Work Week (4DWW) pilot. This article explores the benefits and challenges of the 4DWW, highlighting impacts on work-life balance, productivity, and client relationships, and shares strategies for successful implementation.
New infographic: “Amplifying the Voices of Emerging and Experienced Evaluators – AEA Poster”
Discover how Eval Academy is making evaluation knowledge accessible to all. Download our infographic from the 2024 AEA Conference to explore Eval Academy’s mission, impact, and resources—ideal for students, program managers, evaluators, and decision-makers seeking to enhance their evaluation skills and knowledge.
Navigating Change: 5 Ways a Master’s in Health Evaluation Supported My Career Pivot
Explore how a master's degree in health evaluation can transform your career in this article. Reflecting on personal experiences and practicum insights, discover five essential skills—from shared language and technical tools to hands-on learning—that equip professionals for meaningful change in health program evaluation.
Reflections from the AEA Conference 2024: Amplifying and Empowering Voices in Evaluation
Discover key insights from the 2024 AEA Conference on amplifying voices in evaluation, covering participant engagement, technology integration, and strategies for building trust. This article highlights practical takeaways to enhance inclusivity and impact in evaluation practices.
Data Visualization Applications: Pie Charts
Unlock the secrets to using pie charts effectively with this step-by-step article! Learn how to transform your data storytelling by avoiding common pitfalls, mastering design best practices, and ensuring your visualizations convey clear, impactful insights.
Is Good Program Design Essential for a Quality Evaluation?
Discover why good program design is the secret for impactful evaluations! This article reveals how clear objectives and strong leadership can elevate your evaluation game, ensuring you deliver actionable insights. While great design isn’t mandatory, it’s a game changer that sets the stage for success.
Common Pie Chart Misuses (and How to Fix Them)
This article highlights common misuses of pie charts —like having too many categories or using 3D designs—and provides practical fixes to improve your visualizations. Learn how to enhance clarity, make accurate comparisons, and choose the right chart type for your data, ensuring your visuals effectively communicate your message. Don’t let poor chart design distort your data!
How to Support Evaluation Success: Tips for Program Managers
Program Managers, unlock the secrets to effective program evaluation with our latest article! Discover practical tips for involving evaluators early, clarifying your goals, and engaging your team to streamline the process. Enhance your evaluation confidence and gain valuable insights to improve your program’s effectiveness!
Using AI to do an Environmental Scan
Looking to integrate AI tools into your evaluation workflows? Our latest article offers a step-by-step guide on how to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude 3.5 for conducting an environmental scan. Learn how to streamline the process, from brainstorming topics to generating research questions and search strategies.
New Template: Analyst Quality Assurance Notes, Checklist and Style Guide Template
Streamline your data analysis process with our Analyst Quality Assurance Notes, Checklist, and Style Guide Template! This tool helps you document data-related assumptions, decisions, and analytic steps in one organized file.
New Infographic: Considerations for Indigenous Evaluation
Discover key considerations for Indigenous evaluation with our new infographic, designed for those interested in culturally respectful and informed evaluation practices. This one-page downloadable PDF provides insights into Indigenous methodologies, including the 'Two-Eyed Seeing' approach, which integrates both Indigenous and Western knowledge. Perfect for evaluators and anyone seeking to enhance their knowledge of Indigenous approaches to research and program evaluation.
Data Visualization Applications: Slope Charts
Slope charts are an effective data visualization tool for illustrating changes over time. They allow for easy comparisons between two distinct time periods, simplify complex data, and enhance data storytelling. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to create an impactful slope chart in Excel, including best practices for formatting, highlighting key insights, and improving the overall appearance.
Research and Evaluation – The Article
Explore the key differences between research and evaluation in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their distinct goals, methodologies, data collection and analysis approaches, and reporting styles. Ideal for professionals and students looking to understand the unique roles of research and evaluation in advancing knowledge and improving programs.
New Template: Stratified Sampling Tool (Single Strata)
Discover our new Stratified Sampling Tool template, designed for researchers and evaluators working with large datasets. Learn how to generate representative samples, ensure fair subgroup representation, and increase precision in your data collection. Includes both single strata and multiple stratum versions with step-by-step instructions.
10 Tips for Making Your Evaluation Report More Accessible
Discover 10 practical tips for creating more accessible evaluation reports. This guide covers key aspects of accessibility, including color contrast, font choices, alt text, and plain language. Learn how to make your reports more inclusive and readable for all audiences, including those with disabilities or using assistive technologies.
Beyond Biases: Insights for Effective Evaluation Reporting
Explore how cognitive biases impact evaluation practice. Drawing insights from Hans Rosling's "Factfulness," this article examines 10 common mental shortcuts that can affect data analysis, reporting, and decision-making in evaluation. Learn practical strategies to overcome these biases and improve your evaluation methods.
New Template: Environmental Scan Template in Excel
Introducing our new Environmental Scan Template, designed to help you systematically gather and organize vital information that could influence your program's future direction. Whether you're new to evaluation or a seasoned professional, this tool allows you to customize column headings to fit your specific needs—ensuring you collect the right data efficiently. Download now to enhance your strategic planning, improve operational efficiency, and stay ahead of emerging trends.
Evaluation as self-care for your program
Discover how evaluation serves as essential self-care for your program. Just as individuals benefit from reflection and enhancement, our programs thrive with regular evaluation to assess strengths, monitor progress, and promote ongoing improvement. Explore how integrating evaluation into your program’s routine can enhance resilience, streamline operations, and ensure long-term viability.
Data Visualization Applications: Line Charts
Explore the power of line charts in our ongoing series on data visualization. This article explains how to create impactful line charts using Excel 365. This tutorial not only guides you through chart creation but also emphasizes data visualization best practices to enhance clarity and professionalism. Whether you're new to charting or refining your skills, this article equips you with essential techniques for visually compelling data storytelling.
Internal vs External Evaluators: What's the Difference and Which One is Right for You?
Program Managers face a crucial decision in evaluating programs: internal or external evaluators? While internal evaluators offer deep organizational insight and integrated project design potential, external evaluators bring impartiality, specialized skills, and flexibility. This article explores the pros and cons of each approach, guiding you through factors like project sensitivity, budget considerations, and long-term impact. Discover the best evaluator for your organization's needs and goals.