Question

Evaluators must strive to gather data that are relevant to the program being evaluated. Any information collected should be perceived by stakeholders as credible and trustworthy. It is true that all types of data you collect to evaluate outcomes indeed have some limitations. However, credibility can be improved by using some specific procedures when collecting, examining, and interpreting data. In this assignment, " As health Evaluators " discuss some aspects of evidence gathering that affect (positively) the credibility of the outcome’s evaluation.

Answer 1

Evaluators must strive to gather data that are relevant to the program being evaluated. Any information collected should be perceived by stakeholders as credible and trustworthy. It is true that all types of data you collect to evaluate outcomes indeed have some limitations. However, credibility can be improved by using some specific procedures when collecting, examining, and interpreting data. In this assignment, "As health Evaluators” discuss some aspects of evidence gathering that affect (positively) the credibility of the outcome’s evaluation.

Gathering credible evidence is vital for a respectable evaluation. The information we are gathering for evaluation must be consistent, trustworthy, and applicable for the program being evaluated. Collecting credible evidence is vital in strengthening the evaluation and it will help to improve the program or any strategies related to that. The following are some aspects we should consider while collecting examining and interpreting data.

A. Plan for evaluation

1. Frame a question which needs to be answered based on the framework of the program to be evaluated

2. Set objectives which are measurable and time-bound

3. Choose appropriate and reliable indicators to answer the questions. Indicators are specific, observable, and measurable variables that illustrate the development in achieving a definite output or outcome according to the framework of the program. The indicators will help to answer our assessment questions and will help to determine whether the program objectives have been reached to our expectations

4. Determine proper data sources and methods. An appropriate method and tool for data collection should be designed. Should decide the relevance of quantitative and qualitative methods as per the objectives

5. Train data collectors

6. Proper budgeting

7. Take permission from appropriate authorities

B. Data collection

The significance of the data depends on how precisely and steadily it was recorded. Proper training should be given to those who are going to collect data. Collect data in a systematic manner. Use the simplest and effective methods promising can reliably answer the evaluation questions always consider the reliability of data sources and choose the most suitable one. Do a pilot data collection to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. Take proper consent from authority and participants. Keep confidential files of completed data and conducts data entry of evaluation /examination of data.

C. Examining data

Use proper methods to evaluate the data. Proper statistical methods and software can help to examine the data. During the analysis process, we should emphasize the questions trying to answer.

D. Interpretation of data

How you show conclusions from data is an important and crucial step in program evaluation. Interpretation should be based on the indicators. Involve stakeholders in this effort to help you recognize the data's implication and to rationalize conclusions.List the approach to disseminating the evaluation findings to applicable stakeholders