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Filter search resultsHomogenous sampling
Homogenous sampling involves selecting similar cases to further investigate a particular phenomenon or subgroup of interest. The logic of homogenous sampling is in contrast to the logic of maximum variation sampling.MethodMaximum variation sampling
A maximum variation sample contains cases that are purposefully as different from each other as possible. This type of sampling is useful for examining range in large national or global programs.MethodIntensity sampling
Intensity sampling uses the same logic as extreme case sampling – that much can be learned from the ends of the distribution range – but with less emphasis on the extremes.MethodTypical case sampling
Typical case sampling allows the evaluator to develop a profile of what is agreed as average, or normal. These profiles can serve as illustrations for those unfamiliar with the program.MethodData rehearsal
Data rehearsal, a technique developed by Michael Patton, involves developing simulated reports of data before data collection and then workshopping these with primary intended users to see if this will meet their information needs.MethodPublic consultations
Public consultations are usually conducted through public meetings to provide an opportunity for the community to raise issues of concern and respond to options.MethodTriangulation
Triangulation facilitates validation of data through cross verification from more than two sources.MethodSequential data gathering
Sequencing is one way of combining qualitative and quantitative data by alternating between them.MethodParallel data gathering
Qualitative and quantitative data are gathered at the same time. For example, a closed-ended questionnaire to many service users is done at the same time as semi-structured observations of the service center.MethodConvenience sampling
Convenience sampling selection is based on the ease or "convenience" of gaining access to a sample.MethodKeypad technology
Keypads are used in group meetings to gauge audience response to presentations and provide valuable feedback in large group settings.MethodDeliberative opinion polls
The purpose of Deliberative Opinion Polls (DOPs) is to measure informed opinion on a particular issue.MethodPhotolanguage
Photolanguage is a projective technique to elicit rich verbal data where participants choose an existing photograph as a metaphor and then discuss it.MethodTelephone questionnaires
Respondents can be surveyed using questionnaires delivered by telephone.MethodConvergent interviewing
A convergent interview is a type of interview intended to explore issues widely through a combination of unstructured interviews and a maximum diversity sample.MethodSketch mapping
Sketch mapping is useful for creating a visual representation ('map') of a geographically based or defined issue drawn from the interpretation of a group or different groups of stakeholders.MethodGoal Attainment Scales
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a method that can be used as a means of measuring outcome data from different contexts set out on a 5 point scale of -2 to +2.MethodFuture search conference
A future search conference is a meeting that spans more than one day with the objective that participants identify a shared vision of the future towards which to aim.MethodBrainstorming
Brainstorming involves focussing on a problem and then encouraging participants to come up with as many solutions as possible.MethodQ-methodology
Q-methodology (also known as Q-sort) is the systematic study of participant viewpoints.MethodORID
ORID is a specific facilitation framework that enables a focused conversation with a group of people in order to reach some point of agreement or clarify differences.MethodFocus groups
A focus group is a type of group interview designed to explore peoples attitudes.MethodFishbowl technique
The fish bowl activity is used to manage group discussion.MethodSocial mapping
Social mapping, or 'wellbeing ranking', is used to identify households using pre-determined indicators based on socio-economic factors.MethodDelphi study
The Delphi technique is a quantitative option to generate group consensus through an iterative process of answering questions.MethodWriteshop
A Writeshop is a writing workshop involving a concentrated process of drafting, presenting, reviewing and revising documentation of practice.MethodSummary statistics
Summary statistics provide a quick summary of data and are particularly useful for comparing one project to another, or before and after.MethodExploratory techniques
Taking a ‘first look’ at a dataset by summarising its main characteristics, often by using visual methods.MethodExisting documents
Reviewing documents produced as part of the implementation of the evaluand can provide useful background information and be beneficial in understanding the alignment between planned and actual implementation.MethodOfficial statistics
Statistics published by government agencies or other public bodies such as international organizations are often useful in evaluations.MethodPrevious evaluations and research
Using the findings from evaluation and research studies conducted on the same or closely related areas is an important first step for evaluation planning.MethodContent analysis
Content analysis is a research method in the social sciences used to reduce large amounts of unstructured textual content into manageable data relevant to the (evaluation) research questions.Method