Articles

Explore our latest articles, developed by our team of evaluators and special guests, grounded in real-world experience to support your evaluation practice—whether you're a beginner or an expert.

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Using Implementation Science - Video

Eval Academy’s Implementation Science video series offers practical, accessible learning for evaluation professionals. Grounded in implementation science principles, these videos translate theory into clear, usable insights that support stronger evaluation design, interpretation, and use.

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Why Program Logic Matters for Evaluation: Clarifying What Your Program Is Really Trying to Change

It can be easy to describe what a program does, but is much harder to pin down what it’s actually trying to change. Without clear outcomes and assumptions, evaluations end up measuring what’s convenient instead of what matters.
A good program logic spells out the intended change, why it’s expected, and what’s realistically within the program’s influence. When that clarity is in place, everything from indicators to data collection becomes more meaningful.

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Bridging The Gap: From Evaluation Questions To Indicators

Learn how to bridge the gap between evaluation questions and indicators in program evaluation. This article explains why developing indicators is a crucial step before choosing methods and measures, ensuring evaluations are focused, feasible, and aligned with intended outcomes. Discover practical tips for selecting specific, measurable, and timely indicators, balancing quantitative and qualitative approaches, and using frameworks like logic models and theory of change. The guide also covers indicator types, triangulation, and the importance of involving stakeholders in indicator design for robust, actionable evaluation results.

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Evaluability Assessments (EAs): When To Do Them, And When Not To

Evaluability Assessments (EAs) can save time, money, and effort by showing if a program is ready for evaluation—or if it’s too soon. This article breaks down when an EA is worth doing, when it’s not, and what to try instead.

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Writing Evaluation Questions - Video

Learn how to write effective evaluation questions with these 10 expert tips from Eval Academy. Discover how to align questions with purpose, engage partners, and explore outcomes, systems, and context.

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Evaluation Is An Act Of Kindness For Your Program

Discover how evaluation can be a powerful act of kindness for your program. Whether you're just starting your evaluation journey or looking to refine your approach, this article offers insights and resources to help you spread kindness through evaluation.

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When Not To Evaluate

Evaluating a program is crucial for understanding its impact and effectiveness. However, there are situations where it might not be the right time to conduct an evaluation. This article will help you to determine if now is the time to evaluate your program.

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Foundations and Practice Stephanie Jones Foundations and Practice Stephanie Jones

Building Better Evaluations: What Atomic Habits Can Teach Us About Program Evaluation

Discover how the principles of Atomic Habits by James Clear can transform program evaluation. This article explores how small, consistent changes, systems thinking, and identity-based habits can streamline workflows, strengthen client relationships, and enhance evaluation practices, offering practical strategies to build momentum and drive meaningful results.

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Is Good Program Design Essential For A Quality Evaluation?

Discover why good program design is the secret for impactful evaluations! This article reveals how clear objectives and strong leadership can elevate your evaluation game, ensuring you deliver actionable insights. While great design isn’t mandatory, it’s a game changer that sets the stage for success.

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Research And Evaluation – The Article

Explore the key differences between research and evaluation in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their distinct goals, methodologies, data collection and analysis approaches, and reporting styles. Ideal for professionals and students looking to understand the unique roles of research and evaluation in advancing knowledge and improving programs.

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Evaluation Sustainability Plans: Why You Need One For Your Next Evaluation Project

Discover the importance of Evaluation Sustainability Plans in maximizing the impact of evaluations. Learn why you need one for your next evaluation project! Explore the key components and considerations to integrate evaluation insights into organizational culture for lasting benefits.

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Evaluative Thinking: What Does It Mean And Why Does It Matter?

Unleash the power of evaluative thinking in our data-driven world! This article explores how evaluative thinking goes beyond data analysis alone; it involves a systematic and reflective approach to understanding the effectiveness and impact of actions, programs, and decisions. Discover why evaluative thinking matters for informed decision-making, accountability, and fostering innovation.

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The Art Of Writing Evaluation Questions

It seems so simple – just ask a question! But many new evaluators or side-of-desk evaluators struggle with confidence in creating good evaluation questions. This article shares a few tips for writing evaluation questions as well as an example of how I go from a client meeting to drafting evaluation questions.

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Common Evaluation FAQs

In this article, we provide the answers to some of your FAQs about evaluation including: Why do people conduct evaluations? Where can I find an evaluator? What makes a good evaluator? How can I get training in evaluation? What is the difference between research and evaluation? How much does an evaluation cost?

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