Download the full Evaluation Guide as a pdf documentDoing the evaluation
How to do itAnalysing data
The data collected can be assessed against various analytical frameworks including testing the data:
- against the stated aims and objectives of the engagement process
- against agreed qualitative and quantitative indicators
- by surfacing, clarifying and articulating ‘assumptions’ about aims and objectives among participants and commissioners (from baseline feedback, interviews etc), and testing achievements against these
- against agreed principles of good practice in participatory working (e.g. those promoted by The Environment Council on stakeholder dialogue, or bodies such as the International Association of Public Participation and Involve; see Annex 4).
Testing findings
The initial findings from the data collection and analysis can be tested with various stakeholders in the evaluation process through, for example, setting up an advisory group (with experts / participants etc), workshops with participants, electronic consultation on draft reports etc.
Report writing
This is a crucial step. It usually starts with producing a draft report for testing with those commissioning the evaluation and stakeholders, and then producing a final report for publication. Full evaluation reports can be very dense, and packed with statistics, so it is often necessary to produce a summary report for wider circulation, including to participants who will not necessarily want to read the full report. It is often useful to make the summary report relatively popularist, appealing to a general audience, with illustrations, quotes, etc.