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 EGI
Technical description
You want to adopt an observational or experimental approach, to an outcome or impact evaluation, that can be delivered relatively quickly and easily.
Glossary
Participatory approaches: Involve the stakeholders of a programme or policy in the evaluation process. (Source: Better Evaluation)
Co-productive approaches: Share power and responsibility with stakeholders working together in equal, reciprocal and caring relationships. (Source: Co-production Network for Wales)
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.
Observational approaches: Involve direct observation of people in their typical environment or activity, whilst causing minimal disturbance to that environment or activity.
Experimental approaches: Investigate cause and effect by manipulating aspects of an environment or activity (variables) in a repeatable way with carefully controlled conditions.
Formative Evaluations: Assess the feasibility and potential of a programme, policy or intervention.
Process Evaluations: Assess how effectively a programme, policy or intervention is being, or has been, implemented.
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.
Economic Evaluations: Assess a programme’s or intervention’s value for money.
Data collection methods
Information Systems
Time: low / Cost: low
Information Systems containing general management and administrative information can be used to provide data to evidence softer outcomes form projects.
Check out Page 27 of Think Local Act Personal’s guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
Monitoring Data
Time: low / Cost: low
Monitoring Data is the data collected routinely through the general actions of staff and volunteers. It can be used to provide data to evidence softer outcomes form projects.
Check out Page 6 of NPC’s guide ‘Stories and Numbers: collecting the right impact data.’
Secondary Data
Time: low / Cost: low
Secondary Data is data collected by another organisation, but available and relevant to an evaluation.
Check out Page 6 of NPC’s guide ‘Stories and Numbers: collecting the right impact data.’
Social Network Analysis
Time: moderate / Cost: low
Social Network Analysis gathers evaluation data from the interactions of project stakeholders and beneficiaries with an organisation’s social media platforms.
Check out Page 32 of Think Local Act Personal’s guide ‘Does it Work? – A guide to evaluating community capacity initiatives.’
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