Toward an Evidence-Based Approach to Building Evaluation Capacity

Authors

  • Btissam El Hassar University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Cheryl Poth University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Rebecca Gokiert University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Okan Bulut University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.69191

Keywords:

assessment tool, early childhood development field, evaluation capacity, evaluation capacity assessment, measurement, structural equation modelling

Abstract

Organizations are required to evaluate their programs for both learning and accountability purposes, which has increased the need to build their internal evaluation capacity. A remaining challenge is access to tools that lead to valid evidence supporting internal capacity development. The authors share practical insights from the development and use of the Evaluation Capacity Needs Assessment tool and framework and implications for using its data to make concrete decisions within Canadian contexts. The article refers to validity evidence generated from factor analyses and structural equation modelling and describes how applying the framework can be used to identify individual and organizational evaluation capacity strengths and gaps, concluding with practice considerations and future directions for this work.

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Published

2023-04-21

How to Cite

El Hassar, B., Poth, C., Gokiert, R., & Bulut, O. (2023). Toward an Evidence-Based Approach to Building Evaluation Capacity. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 36(1), 82–94. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.69191

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Research and Practice Notes

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