615 assignment

Week 6

Lesson Week Six

We have come back to the question from Lesson One, what is the difference between research and evaluation? One would ask first, what was the original intent? Are you looking to better understand a process? Then it may be more of an evaluation? If you are looking to better understand outcomes, you could fall into either category. If you are looking at the long-term ramifications of the outcome and particularly if you are incorporating current literature, you will likely fall on the side of research. These questions are not the definitive test, though, there are variations to each. Research also differs from Evaluation in the design of the process. How is data collected? Is it a controlled setting? A control group? This will imply research more than evaluation.   

After the evaluation is complete, it will be time to write the report. Before you conclude, explore the concept of closing the feedback loop. Look at the various tabs and reflect on the importance of citizen involvement in the process. 

We conclude this week with the report itself, or in this case, your presentation since we will not have the time to complete a full written report. Your efforts to this point will be in vain if you can't convey the results in an effective manner to your stakeholders.  Since this aspect is so important, we will look at some of the formatting issues as well. To see some interesting and entertaining blogs and short videos on data visualization, see http://freshspectrum.com/interactive/ . For more resources and some interesting perspectives, see http://www.visualizing.org. Check out the links for creative reporting specifically!

When it comes to reporting, take a look at the State of Evaluation (2016). This is a report by the Innovation Network, Inc. It is presented in a unique manner. Take a look, not only to see the state of evaluation, but to see if you like the format!

· Please find the report at https://web.archive.org/web/20170128120906/http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/docs/SSBrief.pdf. This is compiled by the Social Sciences division of the National Park Service and is the division that has provided much of the information we are using in class. 

· Please find the report at http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/management/upload/uofi_meve_visitor_study_2012.pdf . Please note the layout of the study, the executive summary and the use of graphics and white space to clearly portray the results.

· Assessment & Evaluationhttps://www.opm.gov/services-for-agencies/assessment-evaluation/