Coastal Services Center

Planning for Meaningful Evaluation

Description of Course

This course addresses the increasing demand for evidence of program or project accountability and impact by providing detailed information about program and project evaluation. This two-day training will actively engage participants in creating a comprehensive evaluation plan. The course is not intended to train participants to be professional evaluators, competent in all aspects of evaluation. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of all elements of evaluation, so that participants are able to make informed choices to create fundamentally sound evaluation plans.

Course Objectives

• Participants will be able to create a program theory model that increases program evaluability by revising their existing logic models to more thoroughly describe their program, significant influences, and expected outcomes.
• Participants will be able to create strong causal linkages between components and to the larger body of research that informs the field in which the program or project operates.
• Participants will be able to critically analyze their program theories to identify the appropriate point for evaluation to occur and to determine their evaluation priorities.
• Participants will be able to use their individual program theories and evaluation priorities to revise or create useful performance measures and understand their uses and limitations in evaluation.
• Participants will be able to select appropriate data analysis options and management methods.
• Participants will be able to select relevant findings and effectively communicate the results of their evaluations to intended audiences.

Prerequisites

Participants need to bring a logic model of the program or project they intend to evaluate and related performance measures, if such measures exist. A template and accompanying definition of terms will be provided in advance to those confirming attendance. The training begins with, and builds upon, this logic model. Therefore, it is vital that attendees have taken Program Design and Evaluation (offered by NOAA’s Coastal Services Center) or have participated in program logic-model development in another setting.

Course Dates

This course is offered by the NOAA Coastal Services Center and is available by request. Local Sea Grant or other agency hosts are responsible for workshop logistics and assuring participation by a minimum of 20 (maximum of 30) coastal professionals. The Center will provide instructors and materials.

Contact Information

For more information or to request training, contact the Center's Coastal Learning Services program at nos.csc.CLS_trainers@noaa.gov.