| In a 90 minute Roundtable session, the first
rotation uses the first 45 minutes and the second rotation uses the last 45 minutes.
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| Roundtable Rotation I:
Forming a Topical Interest Group (TIG) for Internal Evaluation |
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Roundtable Presentation 478 to be held in Suwannee 18 on Friday, Nov 13, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
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Sponsored by the Organizational Learning and Evaluation Capacity Building TIG
and the AEA Conference Committee
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| Presenter(s):
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| Kathleen Tinworth, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, kathleen.tinworth@dmns.org
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| Wendy DuBow, University of Colorado at Boulder, wendy.dubow@colorado.edu
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| Boris Volkov, University of North Dakota, bvolkov@medicine.nodak.edu
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| Abstract:
Recent lively discussion on the AEA listserv and amongst colleagues nationwide has solidified the suspicion that there are indeed distinct characteristics to internal evaluation. Issues of ethics, politics, and practice play out in unique and sometimes challenging ways. Many internal evaluators are 'departments of one,' and have few opportunities to address and explore their unique role. Join internal and external evaluators alike to discuss the role of internal evaluation, its strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and importance. We will discuss whether or not forming an AEA TIG would provide community, support and focus for this subset of evaluators. Because internal evaluators work in a wide variety of settings, we will explore the extent of our commonalities to see if they justify a TIG. One of the co-hosts has experience forming an AEA TIG and will share those insights as well. All interested parties are welcome to attend, no matter your perspective.
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| Roundtable Rotation II:
Challenges and Benefits of an Internal Evaluator: Defining Roles and Responsibilities for Optimal Effectiveness |
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Roundtable Presentation 478 to be held in Suwannee 18 on Friday, Nov 13, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
|
|
Sponsored by the Organizational Learning and Evaluation Capacity Building TIG
and the AEA Conference Committee
|
| Presenter(s):
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| Leslie Aldrich, Massachusetts General Hospital, laldrich@partners.org
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| Danelle Marable, Massachusetts General Hospital, dmarable@partners.org
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| Erica Clarke, Massachusetts General Hospital, esclarke@partners.org
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| Adriana Bearse, Massachusetts General Hospital, abearse@partners.org
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| Abstract:
This roundtable will focus on the role of an internal evaluator for a hospital-based center that supports roughly 20 community health programs and projects. The benefits and drawbacks of being an internal evaluator will be discussed, as will situations where use of an internal evaluator might be particularly beneficial for programs. Organizational context and politics play an important part in defining the role of an internal evaluator, as organizations often use evaluators as program managers, technical experts, or community liaisons. Issues addressed will include: roles and responsibilities; objectivity; flexibility and structure; relationship building and staff acceptance; funding and cost effectiveness; and capacity building. Participants will be encouraged to discuss the pros and cons of their own experiences as internal evaluators, and will be asked to think critically about the qualities of successful internal evaluators and how to manage and negotiate conflicts that arise.
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