RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHERS AND PROGRAM EVALUATORS

Selecting an Evaluator

Program personnel need the help of an outside evaluator who is hired to focus on evaluation. The best and most appropriate evaluators are those with no personal interest in the results of an evaluation. In most cases, outside consultants are best. They will look at the program from a new perspective. There are a number of places to identify potential evaluation consultants; for example, universities, local foundations, prevention agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit companies frequently have evaluation professionals that can provide consultation.

It is important to consider the professional training and experience level of consultants. Not all evaluators are the same. Some work on community evaluation, while others specialize in other types of evaluation, such as policy impact. Some specialize in quantitative methods, others in qualitative methods. Some have experience with one stage of evaluation, others with another stage. It is important to find a consultant whose background and training best fit the program’s evaluation goals.

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