Articles
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New Infographic: Monitoring vs. Evaluation
This infographic provides a clear breakdown of the distinctions between monitoring and evaluation. It defines each term, outlines its primary purposes, and details the key aspects of data collection for both processes. By offering a concise visual comparison, this infographic can support your understanding of when to employ monitoring versus evaluation and how each contributes to effective project management.
Three Things Evaluators Can Learn from Psychologists
In this article, we delve into the worlds of evaluation and psychology, exploring the invaluable lessons evaluators can learn from their psychology counterparts. From mastering communication and active listening techniques to embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and refining documentation practices, discover three top tips that will elevate your evaluation game.
Enhance Meeting Note-Taking Efficiency with Our Latest Template
Elevate your project meetings with our Meeting Notes Template in Microsoft Word! Designed for easy tracking, it helps document crucial details, decisions, and challenges, enhancing team accountability and seamlessly integrating with project management tools.
Evaluative Thinking: What does it mean and why does it matter?
Unleash the power of evaluative thinking in our data-driven world! This article explores how evaluative thinking goes beyond data analysis alone; it involves a systematic and reflective approach to understanding the effectiveness and impact of actions, programs, and decisions. Discover why evaluative thinking matters for informed decision-making, accountability, and fostering innovation.
New Infographic: Types of Interview Guides
Your go-to guide for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews - know which method is best for your data collection needs!
How to Link Surveys in Qualtrics with a Participant ID
This is a step-by-step guide for linking your surveys in Qualtrics with a participant ID to assess change over time. Linking surveys together means that you’re connecting the data from all your surveys in a way that lets you track an individual respondent.
Survey Question Types
Surveys are one of the most commonly used data collection tools in an evaluator’s toolbox, and for good reason! There are so many different ways to ask questions in a survey, from multiple choice questions to visual analogue scales and image choice. This article highlights some options to help you think outside the (check)box for your next evaluation survey!
The Power of Self-Reflection in Evaluation
As one of the Canadian Evaluation Society’s core competencies, self-reflection is powerful tool in bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. This article explores the importance of self-reflection in the work of evaluators, provides suggestions on practicing self-reflection, and discusses the benefits of engaging in the practice.
Qualtrics Automated Reporting - A How-To Guide
Monitoring survey data as it unfolds can be hugely beneficial in understanding the reach and performance of your online survey. However, creating and updating these reports can be time consuming, and take away from larger analysis and reporting tasks. Learn how to use Qualtrics’ built-in reporting feature to streamline and automate your incoming data reports here.
Data Visualization Applications: Lollipop Charts - An Alternative to Bar Charts
While traditional bar charts are both straightforward and powerful for data representation, there are instances when we seek innovative alternatives to breathe new life into our reports. Enter the lollipop chart. Learn how to develop them in Excel here.
Power Query for Data Preparation in Excel: An Introduction and Walk-Through for Beginners
Unlock the Potential of Power Query in Excel for Effortless Data Preparation! In this article, we demystify the art of transforming raw data into actionable insights. With step-by-step instructions and hands-on examples, you'll master the essential skills to save time, reduce errors, and supercharge your data analysis.
New Template: Telephone Survey Introduction
The Telephone Survey Introduction Template is a comprehensive script designed to guide surveyors when initiating contact with participants for telephone surveys. It provides a structured framework for addressing various scenarios and ensures a professional and respectful approach to data collection.
Data Visualization Applications: Bar Charts
In this first instalment of our Data Visualization Applications series, we'll guide you through the art of transforming raw data into compelling visualizations. We kick things off by delving into the power and simplicity of the bar chart. By following these steps and best practices, you'll elevate your charts to ensure your data speaks clearly and convincingly. Stay tuned for more insights and techniques in our Data Visualization Applications series.
Survey Design Part 1: Planning for your survey – A review of Designing Quality Survey Questions (2019) by Robinson and Firth-Leonard
The article discusses the book "Designing Quality Survey Questions" by Robinson and Leonard, offering guidance for beginners in survey design. It highlights understanding survey purpose, tool suitability, respondent characteristics, and cultural context, serving as a useful resource for both new and experienced survey designers. Part 2 will delve into crafting quality survey questions.
Podcast Review: Indigenous Insights: Episodes 1 and 2
The article reviews the podcast "Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast" hosted by Gladys Rowe, which explores Indigenous evaluation perspectives. Rowe, a member of Fox Lake Cree Nation, shares experiences through storytelling, promoting reflection and learning. The podcast highlights Indigenous community-centered evaluation, featuring discussions with experts about their experiences.
New Infographic: A Beginner’s Guide to Evaluation: A summary of introductory resources for new evaluators
This infographic is for those who are new to the field of evaluation and want to learn more about it. The purpose of the infographic is to provide newcomers with valuable resources that answer three important questions about evaluation. The infographic includes a one-page PDF with clickable links to relevant resources, making it easy for beginners to explore and learn more about evaluation.
Tools to Write in Plain Language
This article explains the concept of plain language, which aims to make writing easily understandable. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication and its relevance in knowledge translation. It also highlights reasons to write in plain language, such as addressing literacy challenges and making content accessible to a diverse audience. The article introduces tools, including AI writing tools like Chat GPT and readability tools, that assist in creating plain language content.
A picture is worth a thousand words: Photovoice
While traditional data collection methods like surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document reviews are well-known in evaluation, there are also innovative approaches like participatory and arts-based methods. One such method is Photovoice. While it might be daunting to embrace new techniques, it's important to recognize the value of methods like Photovoice in expanding our toolkit and enhancing evaluation practices.
New infographic: Data viz decision tree
Choosing the right type of chart to display your data can help to improve clarity among your readers and lessens the likelihood that your findings may be misinterpreted. With so many different types of charts and graphs, it can be tough to know where to start. This infographic is for anyone who wants to clearly display their quantitative data in a meaningful way but isn’t sure how to pick the best chart for the job.
Creating a Qualitative Codebook
A codebook for qualitative research is a stand-alone document that contains a list of themes, codes, and definitions that you are using in your qualitative analysis. This article outlines the structure of a qualitative codebook as well as steps to follow to create your own.