Western Michigan University Evaluation Center http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr Advancing the theory, practice, and utilization of Evaluation Mon, 13 May 2013 17:09:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 CANCELED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR FALL 2013…Meta-Analysis as a Method of Multi-Site Evaluation of International Development Projects and Programs http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/meta-analysis-as-a-method-of-multi-site-evaluation-of-international-development-projects-and-programs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meta-analysis-as-a-method-of-multi-site-evaluation-of-international-development-projects-and-programs http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/meta-analysis-as-a-method-of-multi-site-evaluation-of-international-development-projects-and-programs/#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:00:30 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9164

Video coming soon…

CANCELED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR FALL 2013

Dr. Chris Coryn—Director of IDPE, WMU
Kristin A. Hobson—IDPE Student, WMU
Robert McCowen—IDPE Student, WMU
Meta-Analysis as a Method of Multi-Site Evaluation of International Development Projects and Programs
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Noon-1pmAlthough interest in multi-site evaluation seemingly has grown, with a nascent body of literature, most of the literature on multi-site evaluation has come from writings about place, group, and cluster randomized controlled trials. However, guidance on how to execute uncontrolled multi-site evaluations is scarce and usually treats sites as homogeneous. In this Evaluation Café, the presenters will discuss and demonstrate how meta-analysis techniques were used to evaluate the effects of Heifer International projects in Albania, Nepal, and Uganda, with an emphasis on nutritional outcomes for project participants.

  ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/meta-analysis-as-a-method-of-multi-site-evaluation-of-international-development-projects-and-programs/feed/ 0 Navigating Foundation Evaluation–An Insider’s View http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/evaluation-cafe-with-dr-kimberly-james/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evaluation-cafe-with-dr-kimberly-james http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/evaluation-cafe-with-dr-kimberly-james/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:22 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9163

Video coming soon…

Navigating Foundation Evaluation–An Insider’s View
Dr. Kimberly James—Evaluation Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Noon-1pmThe purpose, function and structure of evaluation within the larger, private U.S. foundations have undergone significant change over the past few years. This session highlights these changes and current “pressure points” several larger foundations face. What role can evaluators play? Moreover, what skills are really useful for those interested in navigating the evaluation terrain of larger, private foundations? Hear frank advice,  ”hard lessons learned” and questions answered about evaluation from one insider’s evaluation journey. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/evaluation-cafe-with-dr-kimberly-james/feed/ 0 Setting Criteria and Standards for Ball Throwing Athletes http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/measuring-anti-racism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=measuring-anti-racism http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/measuring-anti-racism/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:00:14 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9162

Video coming soon…

Setting Criteria and Standards for Ball Throwing Athletes
Alex Manga—IDPE Student, WMU
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Noon-1pmThis presentation will identify and discuss in detail the evaluation methods, criteria, and standards used to evaluate prospective professional baseball players, particularly pitchers and catchers as established and continued evolution of its evaluation processes.  2) Discuss the changing evolving criteria and standards used for systematic evaluation of pitchers and catchers and the multiple levels of standards used to determine eligibility for prospects acquiring contracts and how summative evaluations are used by the MLB to determine offer levels.  3) Discuss the methods and measurements used to determine if prospects (evaluands) will have what it takes to be a professional baseball player and how these measurements can also translate into financial magnitude being offered. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/measuring-anti-racism/feed/ 0 Axiom Silverpop http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/axiom-silverpop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=axiom-silverpop http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/axiom-silverpop/#comments Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:03:46 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9755 Sponsor:  Axiom Sales Force Development, LLC
Principal Investigator:  Dr. Daniela Schroeter
April 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013

Abstract

The Evaluation Center will be examining the effectiveness of the AXIOM sales force development program for Silverpop, a digital marketing provider. AXIOM teaches a customer-based sales approach that moves beyond the traditional seller-buyer relationship, molding sellers into trusted advisers offering client centric solutions.  The Evaluation Center will be utilizing Success Case methodology to provide information regarding the implementation of AXIOM with the Silverpop sales force.

]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/04/axiom-silverpop/feed/ 0 Health Care Use and Outcomes Among Ex-Offenders Living with HIV: Evaluating Michigan’s Community Re-entry Program for Prisoners Living with HIV http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/health-care-use-and-outcome-using-hiv-positive-ex-offenders-evaluating-michigans-community-re-entry-program-for-hiv-positive-prisoners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=health-care-use-and-outcome-using-hiv-positive-ex-offenders-evaluating-michigans-community-re-entry-program-for-hiv-positive-prisoners http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/health-care-use-and-outcome-using-hiv-positive-ex-offenders-evaluating-michigans-community-re-entry-program-for-hiv-positive-prisoners/#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:00:59 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9161

Video

Dr. Robin Miller—Professor Ecological-Community Psychology, Michigan State University
Health Care Use and Outcomes Among Ex-Offenders Living with HIV: Evaluating Michigan’s Community Re-entry Program for Prisoners Living with HIV
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Noon-1pm

Leaving prison often results in loss of care and poor health among ex-offenders living with HIV. To improve linkage to care, many states have discharge planning programs, few of which have been evaluated.  Using a mixed-method approach, we examined linkage to and maintenance in care 3-5 years after release among 190 ex-offenders who had used Michigan’s statewide community re-entry program.  A majority of ex-offenders had followed through on their discharge plans; however, long-term maintenance in care was low and poor health common 36 months post-release. Mortality was 17%. In addition to presenting findings, challenges conducting the evaluation will be highlighted. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/health-care-use-and-outcome-using-hiv-positive-ex-offenders-evaluating-michigans-community-re-entry-program-for-hiv-positive-prisoners/feed/ 0 Putting Evaluation to Use: A Workshop-based Method for Engaging Stakeholder in the Process of Interpreting and Using Evaluation Data http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/putting-evaluation-to-use-a-workshop-based-method-for-engaging-stakeholder-in-the-process-of-interpreting-and-using-evaluation-data/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=putting-evaluation-to-use-a-workshop-based-method-for-engaging-stakeholder-in-the-process-of-interpreting-and-using-evaluation-data http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/putting-evaluation-to-use-a-workshop-based-method-for-engaging-stakeholder-in-the-process-of-interpreting-and-using-evaluation-data/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:42 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9159

Event Canceled

Dr. Adrienne E. Adams—Assistant Professor, Ecological Community Psychology, Michigan State University
Putting Evaluation to Use: A Workshop-based Method for Engaging Stakeholder in the Process of Interpreting and Using Evaluation Data
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Noon-1pmMany evaluators strive to design and conduct evaluations in ways that promote the use of evaluation findings. To achieve this goal, it is critical to engage key stakeholders in meaningful ways throughout the evaluation process. “Putting Evaluation to Use” is a workshop-based method for engaging stakeholders in the process of interpreting and using evaluation data. This method provides intended users with an opportunity to reflect on their work, celebrate successes, identify areas for improvement, and plan for change. In this presentation, I will describe the method, provide examples of materials, and demonstrate key activities. I will also share some of the benefits and challenges of using this method based on my experience with non-profit human service organizations. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/03/putting-evaluation-to-use-a-workshop-based-method-for-engaging-stakeholder-in-the-process-of-interpreting-and-using-evaluation-data/feed/ 0 Evaluation Large-Scale Research Funding Policies and Procedures: Lessons from an Evaluation of the Swiss National Science Foundation http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-large-scale-research-funding-policies-and-procedures-lessons-from-an-evaluation-of-the-swiss-national-science-foundation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evaluation-large-scale-research-funding-policies-and-procedures-lessons-from-an-evaluation-of-the-swiss-national-science-foundation http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-large-scale-research-funding-policies-and-procedures-lessons-from-an-evaluation-of-the-swiss-national-science-foundation/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:00:33 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9158

No Video

Dr. Chris Coryn—Director of IDPE, WMU
Dr. Brooks Applegate—Professor, Evaluation, Measurement and Research, WMU
Dr. Daniela Schroeter—Director of Research, The Evaluation Center, WMU
Krystin Martens—IDPE Student, WMU
Robert McCowen—IDPE Student, WMU
Evaluation Large-Scale Research Funding Policies and Procedures: Lessons from an Evaluation of the Swiss National Science Foundation
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Noon-1pm

Internationally, a wide variety of policies and procedures have been used for funding research by national grant-making foundations and similar organizations. Simultaneously, demands for improved grant-making and accountability have increased. These demands, driven by a multitude of factors (e.g., increasingly scarce resources, increased competition, pressures to improve performance), have placed a great burden on grant-making foundations not only to continuously improve their overall effectiveness, but also to account for their activities and expenditures. In this Evaluation Café, the presenters will discuss some of the challenges encountered, and solutions to those challenges, in evaluating the research funding policies and procedures of the Swiss National Science Foundation. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-large-scale-research-funding-policies-and-procedures-lessons-from-an-evaluation-of-the-swiss-national-science-foundation/feed/ 0 Institutional Analysis of Evaluation Policies in Quebec, Canada http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/institutional-analysis-of-evaluation-policies-in-quebec-canada/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=institutional-analysis-of-evaluation-policies-in-quebec-canada http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/institutional-analysis-of-evaluation-policies-in-quebec-canada/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:00:51 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9157

arbour_eval cafe

Video

Slides

Dr. Ghislain Arbour—The Evaluation Center Visiting Scholar from the National School of Public Administration, Quebec, Canada
Institutional Analysis of Evaluation Policies in Quebec, Canada
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Noon-1pm

In 2000, the legislative assembly of the Province of Quebec, in Canada, adopted a results-based management system through its Public Administration Act (L.R.Q., 2000, c.8). Since then, the evaluation function has been the object of several administrative developments in order to make it a useful information input in the newly organized government management cycle. Among other initiatives, many public bodies adopted internal policies in order to specify the priorities, the meaning, the scope and the responsibilities associated to the evaluation function. This presentation is about an analysis of the evaluation policies adopted by several departments, through the lens of an institutional theoretical framework inspired by the work of Elinor Ostrom.

  ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/institutional-analysis-of-evaluation-policies-in-quebec-canada/feed/ 0 Evaluation Questions: The Foundation for Meaningful and Useful Program Evaluation http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-questions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evaluation-questions http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-questions/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:00:02 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9156

Video coming soon…

Dr. Lori Wingate—Assistant Director, The Evaluation Center, WMU
Dr. Daniela Schroeter—Director of Research, The Evaluation Center, WMU
Evaluation Questions: The Foundation for Meaningful and Useful Program Evaluation
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Noon-1pmIn this Evaluation Cafe, we will discuss the importance of evaluation questions and their influence on evaluation design, stakeholder engagement, and use of results. Lori Wingate and Daniela Schroeter will share highlights from their day-long workshop on this topic, addressing issues such as how to

  • align evaluation questions with program purpose and information needs
  • articulate questions that are evaluative, unambiguous, important, and answerable
  • use logic logic models to ensure alignment between program design, evaluation questions, and indicators
  • assess and improve preexisting evaluation questions
]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/evaluation-questions/feed/ 0 Social Return on Investment: Metrics, Methods, and Market Solutions http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/social-return-on-investment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=social-return-on-investment http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/social-return-on-investment/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:00:25 +0000 Perk.Emma http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/?p=9155

Video

Dr. John Gargani—President, Gargani + Company
Social Return on Investment: Metrics, Methods, and Market Solutions
Wednesday, February 7, 2013
Noon-1pm

I provide an overview of social return on investment (SROI), acting as both champion and critic. SROI may be unfamiliar to many evaluators. It is one of several metrics—borrowed from business, economics, and finance—that quantifies the monetary value of program impacts. Investors are using it to develop new “impact investment” strategies. Policymakers are using it to experiment with public-private funding mechanisms, such as social impact bonds. Should evaluators be using it to demonstrate program effectiveness? That’s the question we will explore together. ]]> http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/2013/02/social-return-on-investment/feed/ 0