Evaluation Methods

Below are methods, or data collection instruments/exercises, to consider for use in your evaluation. Each includes advantages and challenges to center a culturally responsive and equitable process.

  • Concept maps

    To gather information about someone’s understanding of and attitudes toward a complex subject or topic.

  • Drawings/Journal Prompts

    To learn how participants make sense of a concept or idea, or can be used as a way to check for understanding.

  • Focus groups

    To explore in-depth through group discussion, e.g. reactions to an experience or suggestion, understanding common complaints. Useful in evaluation and marketing.

  • Interviews

    To understand someone’s impression or experience or learn more about their answers to questionnaires.

  • Observations

    To gather more information about how a project actually operates, particularly about processes.

  • Photo-elicitation/Photovoice

    To use photographs taken by participants or researchers to guide interviews and learn more about their experience.

  • Questionnaires and surveys

    To quickly and/or easily get a lot of information from people in a non-threatening way.

    This is also a common way of tracking program metrics.

  • Tests of knowledge

    To determine the audience’s current state of knowledge or skill regarding an issue.