Involving Program Staff in Evaluation Studies

Abstract

One approach for increasing the use of program evaluation information is to involve potential users more actively in evaluation activities. In this study program staff participated directly as interviewers-and one person even became a coevaluator—and less directly during informal interactive feedback activities. Program staff have used evaluation information primarily to identify technical assistance needs and to modify the program. Increased use has resulted from improved communication, staff perceptions of evaluation relevance and credibility, and staff commitment to the study. In addition to increasing information use, involving staff has expanded the evaluation knowledge base at a relatively low cost.