● Participants ● Stakeholders ● Colleagues ● Volunteers
If you decide to include others in using observation for evaluation, it is critical that each person is trained. You want to ensure that they are using the instrument correctly and are making observation consistently. For more information and examples of observation protocols visit: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0145/8808/4272/files/G3658-05.pdf
Additional resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/evaluation/pdf/brief16.pdf
https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/programs/health-data/trainings/Documents/tw_cba25.pdf
Focus Groups
Although focus group interviews were first used in the private sector as a tool for conducting market research, the technique has gained popularity with Extension professionals as a means of designing programs and assessing outcomes (Krueger & Casey, 2000). One reason focus groups are used frequently is that the interviews yield rich, qualitative information which can be used to identify what should be done, what worked and what did not, and why. The latter helps identify ways to improve the program. Focus group interviews also facilitate collection of “success stories”—the kind of information that puts a human face on accountability reports. Such information can be effective in communicating to stakeholders how the program has helped Extensions clientele. Preparing for the Focus Group ● Drafting questions. To effectively plan or evaluate your program, you will need to focus your questions around the clients’ needs or purpose of the program, respectively. Questions should be worded carefully and follow a logical sequence, flowing from topic to topic. ● Selecting and recruiting participants. Participant selection and recruitment is a critical step in the focus group process. In order to form fairly homogeneous groups, participants are usually selected on the basis of certain common characteristics. Once participants for the focus groups have been identified, the next challenge is getting them to attend. A personalized invitation should be extended and reminders by mail or telephone should be used immediately prior to the session. Four to ten participants usually constitute a focus group. The
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