Types of Evaluation Data

To carry out an evaluation, data are collected, or existing data are accessed that can be used to assess the effectiveness of an intervention. Data can be collected using a range of methods including the following, which we found to be useful in a wide variety of settings:

• Observation (with varying degrees of participation)
• Survey (e.g. Rapid Assessment, Focus Group, Interviews)
• Documentation (documentation forms, Enquiries and Concerns Register)
• Collecting visually represented data (drawings, taking photographs etc.)

It is recommended to collect several types of data at the same time, human resources and time permitting. An assessment from several perspectives, e.g. from the points of view of the target group and project personnel can be very revealing regarding the impact of an intervention (triangulation).

Example: A public performance in the course of a prevention event can be perceived and assessed differently from the points of view of those performing, the audience (target group), and of observers recording audience reactions. Together they provide a more comprehensive overall assessment than choosing the impressions of one group only would have offered.

Authors:
Block/Unger/Wright