Updated 16/12/2008

HEADS TOGETHER (AUSTRALIA) REVIEWS AND EVALUATION SERVICES

True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain,

hazardous, and conflicting information.

- Winston Churchill

Reviewing and evaluating might apply to a course, program, policy, an event or a training manual or text book. Everyone involved with evaluating is being asked to plan more carefully, reflect more critically and justify the decisions made. The key to this is evaluation logic and involving stakeholders in the planning process, and for disseminating the evaluation findings.

Owen (2006) describes evaluation as ..."the process of providing information designed to assist decision making about the object being evaluated. The term `evaluand' has been used as an alternative generic term to 'object'. In practice the evaluand could be a program, a policy, an event or a training manual or text book".

There is no doubt that reviews and evaluation practice have expanded and become more complex. Owen (2006) describes the 'logic of evaluation'. Without this logic any review or evaluation will be found wanting. Reviewers and evaluators must be familiar with the following basic issues:

	What is the underlying basis for the criteria to judge the worth of what is being evaluated?
	What evidence and standards need to be used to make a judgement of worth?
	How will conclusions be made and presented?
	Decision-making on the basis of the evaluation.

 

Evaluation involves much more than designing a sound empirical study. Trained evaluators negotiate the key issues for a study, attending to ethical considerations, collecting and analysing evidence, disseminating to audiences, and assisting with the implementation of the findings.

HEADS TOGETHER  can:

	guide and negotiate an evaluation plan
	implement an evaluation design to produce worthwhile findings
	disseminate findings to indentified audiences for use in: describing or understanding what is being evaluated making judgements or decisions related to what is being evaluated

Testimonials CEO, TAFE institution (interstate) His work [as Chair of the organisation] review panel was exemplary, allowing full focus on the outcomes and engendering a healthy spirit of cooperation and participation in the team. His experience and knowledge of the issues enabled him to use judgment and intelligence in assessing the issues which arose in the process of the review.

Also see: Please don't evaluate the life out of programs involving volunteers: 6 critical steps

HEADS TOGETHER

Strategic Planning

Facilitation

Qualified Industry

Standard Group Facilitator:

Certificate IV in  Assessment and Workplace Training (Melbourne)

20 years of experience.

Based on state-of-the art concepts and current research.

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