General Evaluation Guides

These guides are excellent resources for all evaluators to consider, regardless of field.

• The 2002 User Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation.
  Frechtling, J. (2002). National Science Foundation.
  beginner
  Available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002/nsf02057/ nsf02057.pdf
  The 2002 User Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation targets managers who need information about what evaluation is, the main components of an evaluation, and the important issues to consider when planning one. The guide covers a range of topics including evaluation design, sampling, and reporting and also provides worksheets for several phases of the planning process. In addition, the handbook dedicates a chapter to the complexities of being culturally responsive in evaluation.

• Evaluator's Handbook.
  Herman, J. L., Morris, L. L., Fitz-Gibbon, C. T. (1984). Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications.
  intermediate advanced
  Available at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803931263/sr=1-1/qid=113
  7165092/ref= pd_bbs_1/102-0819290-3322556?%5Fencoding=
  UTF8
  This guide is written in a handbook/workbook format to provide evaluators with practical advice, information, and samples addressing how to conceptualize, plan, and conduct evaluations. The workbook provides step-by-step guides as well as questions to ask stakeholders, sample budget planners, and worksheets for each step of the evaluation process. Separate sections and worksheets are included for summative and formative evaluations.

• Participatory Evaluation Essentials 2003: A Guide for Non-Profit Organizations and their Evaluation Partners.
  Bruner Foundation (2003).
  beginner intermediate
  Available at: http://www.evaluationservices.co/uploads/Evaluation.Essentials.2010.pdf
  Written in a handbook format, Participatory Evaluation Essentials 2003 provides an excellent overview of critical questions to consider as you plan your evaluation. Guidance is provided on topics such as identifying and working with evaluation stakeholders, developing a logic model, selecting appropriate data collection techniques, and writing the evaluation report. For each of these, worksheets are provided to help readers apply the information to their respective programs. Particularly noteworthy is the section on data collection methods, which reviews multiple ways to conduct surveys, interviews, and other techniques.

• User-Friendly Handbook for Mixed Methods Evaluations
  Frechtling, J. and Sharp, L. (1997). National Science Foundation .
  intermediate
  Available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1997/nsf97153/start. htm
  This publication is designed to help evaluators learn about mixed methods evaluations and how to plan and conduct them. Specifically, it provides information on how to include qualitative information with a quantitative study. The handbook includes worksheets for determining what questions to focus on and what methods to use in responding to those questions.

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook
  W.K. Kellogg Foundation (1998).
  beginner
  Available at: http://www.wkkf.org/knowledge-center/resources/2010/W-K-Kellogg-Foundation-Evaluation-Handbook.aspx
  Part II of this handbook, "Blueprint for Conducting Project-Level Evaluation," provides a brief overview of different types of evaluations (e.g., needs assessment, implementation/formative evaluation, and summative/outcome evaluation) as well as three techniques for developing a logic model. Chapter Five provides an overview of important considerations at different stages of the evaluation process. Particularly helpful are the worksheets and advice for budgeting an evaluation and choosing an evaluator. The handbook also discusses various methods of data collection and gives advice for selecting the methods most appropriate to different needs.