Research and evaluation
This section supports people who want to do, contract or assess research and evaluations. It contains introduction papers, ‘how to' guidelines and links to other useful research and evaluation resources.
Getting started
Theory and background
'How to' guides
Methods and approaches
Web tools
We recommend you also check out our critical thinking resources in the organisational learning and implementing change section.
Getting started
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A basic guide to program evaluation |
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First steps in monitoring and evaluations (PDF) |
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Introduction to evaluation (PDF) |
| Mental Health and Addiction Service Evaluator Workbook (Te Pou, 2010) This workbook is designed as an introductory resource for service users who are considering taking part in an auditing or evaluation process. It is also a useful resource for service users involved in service planning and development, quality improvement, systemic advocacy, leadership and management. |
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Promoting good(ness) - A guide to evaluating programmes and projects (PDF) |
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Undertaking research - A guide for beginners (PDF) |
Theory and background
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Achieving buy-in. Building networks to facilitate knowledge transfer (PDF) |
| Code of practice for tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector research centre (PDF) (The Clearing House, 2007) The Code describes optimum practices in community research for the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector research centre. |
| Guidelines for researchers on health research involving Maori (PDF) (Health Research Council of New Zealand, 2008) Assist researchers who intend undertaking biomedical, public health or clinical research involving Maori participants or research on issues relevant to Maori health. |
| Guidelines on Pacific health research (PDF) (Health Research Council of New Zealand, 2008) Assist research with Pacific peoples, living in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The focus is on the New Zealand context of Pacific health research. |
| Making research work (Canadian health services research foundation, 2007) Useful papers and links about knowledge exchange, research, funding and capacity development. |
| The evaluation hikoi: A Maori overview of programme evaluation (PDF) (Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University, 2009) Provides an overview of the issues surrounding public health programme evaluation by and for Maori, gives examples of the range of approaches that might be useful and highlights areas that evaluators may need to consider. |
'How to' guides
| A User's Guide to Advocacy Evaluation Planning (PDF) (Harvard Family Research Project, 2009) A guide for advocates, evaluators, and funders who want guidance on how to evaluate advocacy and policy change efforts. The User's Guide takes you through four basic steps that generate the core elements of an advocacy evaluation plan, including what will be measured and how |
| Community Health Worker Evaluation Kit (University of Arizona, College of Public Health, ongoing) The Tool Kit concentrates on results and focuses on developing an evaluation plan and choosing appropriate measurements and evaluation tools for a CHW program. One of the main purposes is to make evaluation a simple and empowering experience for everyone. |
| Conducting a search for research literature (PDF) (Research in practice, 2008) Step-by-step guide to facilitate the process of a literature search. |
| Evaluating your project - using evidence to improve outcomes for communities (PDF) (South Australia Community Health Research Unit, 2009). This factsheet outlines in simple steps the key evaluation process. A resource relevant to community development and primary health care professionals. |
| Evaluation: A guide for good practice (PDF) (Mental Health and Special Programs Branch, Department of Health and Aged Care, Commonwealth of Australia, 2001) This practical guide helps designing and implementing evaluation for a wide range of promotion and prevention initiatives. It outlines how people can work with each other, their stakeholders, clients and community to develop relevant, affordable and achievable evaluations for their initiatives. It also demonstrates how these evaluation processes can become part of day-to-day practice. |
| Evaluation of information sources (The world-wide web virtual library) Points to criteria for evaluating information resources, particularly those on the internet. It is intended to be particularly useful to those who are selecting sites to include in an information resource guide, or informing users as to the qualities they should use in evaluating internet information. |
| Mythbusters teaching resource (PDF) (Canadian Health Science Research Foundation, 2008) How to write easy to read research summaries to policy makers funders and planners, managers and providers. |
| PHC RIS Factsheet Dissemination Matters (Primary Health Care Research & Information Service, 2009) This factsheet outlines how to create a constructive communication between researchers and policy developers to support the development of effective, evidence based public policy. |
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PowerPoint does rocket science - and better techniques for technical reports |
| Product evaluation/evaluation tool (Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology) A set of templates, logs, forms and tables for product evaluation. |
| Quick tips for the evaluation process (Program development and Education, University of Wisconsin - Extension, varied) Range of brief practical suggestions by subject heading related to the research process, for example ensuring adequate response rate, how to extract relevant information from qualitative research, managing data and more. |
| Reader friendly writing (PDF) (Canadian health services research foundation, ongoing) Explains how to write a research summary for decision makers who have different objectives versus writing an article for an academic journal. |
| Resources (Canadian Health Science Research Foundation, ongoing) Articles and fact sheets that enable the sharing of knowledge/results between researchers and people who need the research. |
| Scoping study: Monitoring and evaluation research communication (PDF) (Collaborative work between Health Link, Institute of Development Studies and other UK organisations, 2006) Highlight issues related to communicating study results to a narrow target group. |
| Statistics at square one (British Medical Journal, 1997) Manipulation of data is a major step in research and evaluation. Statistical terms are explained in a simple comprehensive way with relevant examples, aiming more effective data manipulation. |
| Step by step manuals (Centres for disease control and prevention, evaluation working group, ongoing) Wide range of resources and links for program evaluation in public health, research methods and online publications. |
Methods and approaches
| A Practical Guide for Engaging Stakeholders in Developing Evaluation Questions (PDF, 1mb) (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2009) The presented five-step process, four worksheets and case examples increase the value and usefulness of evaluation and assist in developing evaluation questions. |
| Designing a cross-project evaluation (PDF) (Urban Institute, 2008) A model to conduct an evaluation of a range of programs with similar goals so that data maybe aggregated across projects. |
| Enhancing program performance with logic models (University of Wisconsin - Extension) A multimedia online course on logic model for a holistic approach to planning and evaluating education and outreach programs. |
| Logic models - requirements for many funders and organisations (PDF) (Program development and Education, University of Wisconsin - Extension) Developing logic models helps to plan, implement, evaluate and communicate within public, private and non-profit sector. |
| Most Significant Change technique (Dart, J.J. and Davies R.J., 2005) Describes the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique, a participatory monitoring and evaluation method. |
| Outcomes central (Dr Paul Duignan, ongoing) A resource for those working with outcomes, strategy and evaluation; includes logic model information, DoView model (logic model) software, links to outcomes and evaluation sites, guidelines, easy to do steps. |
| Participatory planning, evaluation and monitoring Clear Horizon (led by Jess Dart, ongoing) Useful information about design of monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique. |
| Quick start guide (PDF) (Dart, J.J. and Davies R.J., 2003) A self help guide for implementing the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique. |
| Resources for methods in evaluation and social research (The global social change research project, ongoing) Lists free resources on "how-to" do evaluation research and the methods used, for example surveys, focus groups, sampling, interviews, and other methods. |
| Systematic review of methods for evaluating healthcare research economic impact (PDF, 280kb) (Yazdizadeh B, Majdzadeh R, & Salmasian, H. 2010, Health Research Policy & Systems, 8, 6) This peer-reviewed article uses the electronic search of databases and websites at its core methodology. Its seeks to study the economic benefits of healthcare research, so as to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to it, particularly in developing countries. |
| Understanding what matters: A guide to using patient feedback to transform care (Department of Health, UK, 2009) This guide outlines how the range of different sources of patients experience information can be an integral part of local quality improvement systems. The described feedback cycle sets out best practice in terms of collecting, analysing and using patient feedback to transform services. It supports the embedding of patient insight within everyday practice. |
Web tools
| Freemind (Wikipedia, GPL - GNU General Public Licence, ongoing) This free mind-mapping software is very easy to use and highly rated as a useful tool for teams and educators. |
| Learning software (New Zealand Ministry of Education, ongoing) This website lists a range of quality software and support resources to assist educators to make informed decisions when identifying and using software. The snapshots of learning section contains screen shots showing how software (freeware and non-freeware) has been used in learning sessions. |
| NZ Government datasets online (website) (NZ Government, ongoing) This directory of publicly available New Zealand government datasets. Users can search for NZ datasets and submit datasets. The site is a pilot and will be reviewed in June 2010. |
| Social by Social (Andy Gibson, et.al, 2009) Social by Social is a practical guide to using new technologies to create social impact. The online or downloadable book makes tools accessible that are needed to engage a community, offer services, scale up activities and sustain projects. |
| SurveyMonkey (SurveyMonkey, ongoing) An easy to use website for creating surveys with supplied templates and question types for all levels; a user login and password are required to create and administer surveys. |
| Top100 Tools (Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies, ongoing) This website has links to useful learning software and tools, including free public tools and presents a top 25 ranked list of tools for personal learning/productivity and for creating learning solutions. |
Know of other useful tools? Send us an email at keadmin "at" tepou.co.nz.
While care is taken to ensure the links provided on this page are correct, Te Pou cannot guarantee their accuracy due to the frequency with which the host of the websites are updating their content. Te Pou will check that links remain funtional monthly. Te Pou is not responsible for, and does not accept any liability for, the content or accuracy of the websites or documents which are linked to or referenced from this site. References on this page to a tools or web based documents is not an endorsement or recommendation by Te Pou. The intellectual property including copyright in the linked documents is not owned by Te Pou.
Page last updated: 17 May 2010