Evaluation Courses or Workshop Overviews
Introduction to Evaluation
Target audience: Staff new to evaluation, programme officers, volunteers, or anyone needing a foundational understanding of monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
Duration: 1 day (6–7 hours) or 2 half‑day sessions
Delivery format: Live online or in‑person workshop, with short exercises
Learning objectives
- Define evaluation and distinguish it from monitoring.
- Understand the purpose of evaluation in the charity context (accountability, learning, improvement).
- Understanding the move from outputs to outcomes.
- Identify key evaluation questions and basic evaluation designs.
- Use simple data collection methods (surveys, interviews, case studies).
- Interpret and present basic findings to stakeholders.
Example Modules
1. What is Evaluation?
- Definitions, key terms (outputs, outcomes, impact)
- Evaluation vs. monitoring vs. research
- Why evaluate? Accountability, learning, fundraising, reporting
2. The Evaluation Cycle
- Planning, data collection, analysis, reporting, using findings
- Developing a logic model / theory of change (intro level)
3. Asking the Right Questions
- Formative vs. summative evaluation
- Crafting SMART evaluation questions
4. Basic Data Collection Methods
- Quantitative: surveys, administrative data
- Qualitative: interviews, focus groups, observation
- Selecting methods appropriate for your capacity
5. Analysing and Interpreting Data
- Simple descriptive statistics (frequencies, averages)
- Thematic analysis for qualitative data
6. Communicating Results
- Dashboards, one‑page reports, storytelling
- Using findings to improve programmes
Outcomes: Participants will be able to plan a small‑scale evaluation, collect basic data, and report findings to internal stakeholders.
2. Advanced Evaluation
Target audience: Staff with some evaluation experience (e.g., completed Intro course or equivalent), M&E officers, programme managers.
Duration: 2 days (12–14 hours) or four half‑day sessions
Delivery format: Interactive workshop with case studies from charities
Learning objectives
- Design rigorous evaluation designs (quasi‑experimental, mixed methods).
- Apply advanced sampling techniques and data quality assurance.
- Use statistical methods (regression, effect sizes) relevant to charity data.
- Manage complex evaluations with multiple stakeholders.
- Address bias, validity, and ethical challenges.
Example Modules
1. Advanced Evaluation Design
- Experimental vs. quasi‑experimental designs
- Comparison groups, pre‑post designs, interrupted time series
- When to use randomised control trials (and when not)
2. Sampling and Data Quality
- Probability and non‑probability sampling
- Power analysis for small samples (charity context)
- Data cleaning, validation, and triangulation
3. Quantitative Analysis for Impact
- T‑tests, chi‑square, simple linear regression
- Effect size and confidence intervals
- Using free/ low‑cost tools (e.g., R, PSPP, Excel)
4. Qualitative Analysis at Depth
- Coding frameworks, thematic networks
- Ensuring rigour (member checking, peer debriefing)
- Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings
5. Evaluation Management
- Budgeting, timelines, stakeholder engagement
- Managing external evaluators vs. internal teams
- Ethical considerations (informed consent, data protection)
6. Using Evaluation for Strategy
- From findings to recommendations
- Building an evaluation culture in the organisation
Outcomes: Participants will be able to design and manage a medium‑complexity evaluation, analyse data with confidence, and use results for strategic decision‑making.