Publications

The 2002 User Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation was developed to provide managers working with the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a basic guide for the evaluation of NSF’s educational programs. It is aimed at people who need to learn more about both what evaluation can do and how to do an evaluation, rather than those who already have a solid base of experience in the field. It builds on firmly established principles, blending technical knowledge and common sense to meet the special needs of NSF and its stakeholders.

The Handbook discusses quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, suggesting ways in which they can be used as complements in an evaluation strategy. As a result of reading this Handbook, it is expected that program managers will increase their understanding of the evaluation process and NSF’s requirements for evaluation, as well as gain knowledge that will help them to communicate with evaluators and manage the actual evaluation.