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Session Title: Using Appreciative Inquiry in Evaluation: Exploring Impact and Lessons From the Field

Panel Session 764 to be held in Hanover Suite B on Saturday, November 10, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Sponsored by the Collaborative, Participatory & Empowerment Evaluation TIG

Chair(s):

Tessie payday loan  Catsambas payday loan ,  EnCompass LLC,  tcatsambas@encompassworld.com

Discussant(s):

Tessie payday loan  Catsambas payday loan ,  EnCompass LLC,  tcatsambas@encompassworld.com

Abstract: This session presents the experience of applying Appreciative Inquiry to 3 different projects: to a post-conflict country for running focus groups (Kosovo); to evaluate the services provided at a college counseling center (U.S.A.); and to a human anti-trafficking project for developing an evaluation system (Albania). This panel explores examples of AI applications in these different contexts, and shows the variation and options in AI application. The session will also discuss the value of applying Appreciative Inquiry to evaluation and the exciting ways in which it changes the evaluation experience. Benefits include engaging stakeholders in exciting new ways, broadening participation, deepening the culture competence of evaluation, bringing a whole systems view to evaluation, and, ultimately, building evaluation and organizational capacity.

A Comparison of Appreciative Inquiry and Nominal Group Techniques in the Evaluation of a College Counseling Center Liz payday loan  McGough payday loan ,  University at Buffalo,  emcgough@buffalo.edu This study used the second phase of an on-going, multi-year, outcomes based, evaluation initiative at the Buffalo State College Counseling Center as an opportunity to compare Appreciative Inquiry (AI) with Nominal Group (NG) techniques. Five focus groups were conducted two using AI and three using NG. Participants were also asked to complete brief pre, post, and follow-up questionnaires. Content and process comparisons produced results that revealed similarities and differences in the content and process data. The same topics in were raised in each method, however the framing was different. Participants responded well to both methods. Survey responses indicated that NGT participants enjoyed their experience a little more than in the AI participants, however, AI participants indicated slightly higher acceptance than NGT participants of their group's outcomes. Implications for practice, suggestions for modification of the methods, and implications for research are discussed.

Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Focus Groups in a Post-conflict Context Patty payday loan  Hill payday loan ,  EnCompass LLC,  phill@encompassworld.com In April 2006, as part of a baseline assessment on women and on ethnicity in the media, EnCompass blended appreciative inquiry (AI) methods within a focus group interview setting, to conduct a unique series of focus group interviews with Kosovar media professionals of different ethnicities. Specifically, the interviews addressed opportunities for: - The recognition and professional development of female journalists in Kosovo - Overcoming the obstacles female journalists face in taking on leadership roles in journalism - Better coverage of ethnic and interethnic issues - Enhancing a more humane understanding between various ethnic groups - Integrating various ethnic groups into their staff This presentation shares the adapted AI focus-group interview protocol, and discusses why AI methods were used in this post-conflict context, what happened during and after the interviews, and implications for the use of AI in addressing such sensitive issues.

Using Appreciative Inquiry to Develop an Evaluation System for an Anti-trafficking Project in Albania Mary payday loan  Gutmann payday loan ,  EnCompass LLC,  mgutmann@encompassworld.com The Coordinated Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT) program of Creative Associates International, Inc., was funded by USAID in 2003 to enhance collaboration and coordination among local government and civil society stakeholders in strengthening anti-trafficking efforts in Albania for the prevention, assistance and reintegration of victims or those at-risk for human trafficking. In 2006, CAAHT decided to strengthen its monitoring and evaluation system in an effort to solidify the gains achieved, and work towards a measure of program sustainability that builds on the relationships established and increases the local capacity of stakeholders to address trafficking in their communities. In strengthening the evaluation system, appreciative inquiry was used as a lead methodology. It resulted in strengthening the use of evaluation data in the key project strategies, and strengthening in-country networks. The project elected to use appreciative inquiry after using it to evaluate one core project strategy related to collaboration and coordination.