Module 5 - Evaluation

Overview | Quality | Eval Questions | Instruments | R & E | Proposal Steps | Resources

Overview

The “Project Evaluation” section of your Project Description describes how your independent evaluator will evaluate your program. This module addresses elements of evaluation that principal investigators should know and understand in order to evaluate whether an independent evaluator is doing its job. Ideally evaluators are identified during the proposal development process; they may participate with the team as they develop the logic model, help to refine evaluation questions, and provide expertise in designing the type of evaluation and the instruments that will be used.

In this module you will:

• Identify evaluation questions that align with your logic model and meet the NSF ITEST criteria for Program Evaluation.

• Decide how the evaluation will be designed. Typically, this involves either an independent evaluator or an external review board.
• Align your research plan and evaluation sections.

Module format

Each module will have the following sections, organized into tabs:

• The Overview provides module objectives.
• The Topics cover specific module content. This module has five topic tabs:
  • Quality: Characteristics of high-quality evaluations in ITEST
  • Evaluation questions: Evaluation Questions and Design
  • Instruments: Choosing instruments for both research and evaluation questions
  • R and E: Aligning Research and Evaluation
• The Proposal Steps tab includes a summary of the three activities you completed in the current module that will help you write the evaluation section of your proposal. Your assignment for this module is to draft both your Research and Development Design and Project Evaluation sections.
• The Resources tab provides general and specific resources and quick links to useful sites.

Module Review Video