This is an entry that complements the Measuring What Matters toolkit which you can find here: https://info.copronet.wales/measuring-what-matters/
Measuring What Matters online tool result: code BGI
Technical description
You want to adopt a qualitative and consultative approach, to an outcome or impact evaluation, that can be delivered relatively quickly and easily.
Glossary
Qualitative approaches: Focus on the quality of an activity (often feelings and subjective opinions) as opposed to quantity (objective facts and figures).
Consultative approaches:Invite people to share their experiences through some kind of formal and structured process.
Outcome Evaluations:Assess the extent to which a programme, policy or intervention has achieved its planned outcomes.
Impact Evaluations:Explore and assess longer-term effects, intended or otherwise, of a programme, policy or intervention.
Data collection methods
360 Degree Appraisal
Time: low / Cost: low
360 Degree Appraisal collects views on a given question from multiple perspectives, by asking for feedback from a small number of individuals who are representative of a wider group of stakeholders. This could include staff, managers, members of the community or otherwise.
Check out Page 30 of Think Local Act Personal’s Guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
Appreciative Inquiry
Time: low / Cost: low
Appreciative Inquiry focuses on the strengths of a project, and how their frequency can be increased.
Appreciative Inquiry features in Better Evaluation’s ‘Rainbow Framework’ and more information can be found of their website.
Interview
Time: low / Cost: low
Interviews are discussions used to investigate project beneficiaries’ feelings, beliefs and attitudes.
A free Interview guide is provided by Evaluation Support Scotland.
Open Space Technology
Time: moderate / Cost: moderate
Open Space Technology enables large and diverse groups of people to ‘self organise’ discussions about issues and topics they believe to be important.
Check out Page 31 of Think Local Act Personal’s Guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
Personal Anecdote
Time: low / Cost: low
Personal Anecdote’s provide an individual’s personal account with regard to a specific element of, or issue relating to, a project.
The pros and cons of participatory approaches to evaluation are outlined on Page 21 of Nesta’s ‘Using Research Evidence – A Practical Guide’
Story Telling
Time: low / Cost: low
Storytelling is a way of creatively collecting information about people’s experiences and feelings about projects.
Check out Page 25 of Think Local Act Personal’s Guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
World Café
Time: moderate / Cost: moderate
World Café’s are a method of involving a large number of people, potentially spread all over the world in a ‘conversation’ about a particular issue or project.
Check out Page 29 of Think Local Act Personal’s Guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
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