| Session Title: How to Write an Evaluation Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Evaluators |
| Demonstration Session 308 to be held in Centennial Section E on Thursday, Nov 6, 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM |
| Sponsored by the Graduate Student and New Evaluator TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Kai Young, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deq0@cdc.gov |
| Maureen Wilce, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mwilce@cdc.gov |
| Linda Leary, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lsl1@cdc.gov |
| Abstract: Having a clearly written evaluation plan prior to conducting evaluation has become standard evaluation practice. Clients and funders often ask for a formal evaluation plan before committing to agreements for having evaluations conducted. This session will discuss the importance of having a detailed plan prior to conducting an evaluation to ensure that the evaluation will meet the standards of a 'good' evaluation and that the time, energy and resources invested in evaluation will be worthwhile. An evaluation plan template as well as a step-by-step guide that has been pilot tested and used will be provided to new evaluators and program staff for working through the development and writing of an evaluation plan. We will also discuss how we developed the guide using the following techniques: breaking down concepts, operationalizing concepts using terms program staff could understand, developing worksheets to assist in organizing information, and providing real-life examples to foster understanding. |