How do you enhance program evaluation validity and reliability?

2 Select suitable data sources and methods

The second step to enhance program evaluation validity and reliability is to select suitable data sources and methods that can provide valid and reliable evidence to answer the evaluation questions and measure the indicators. Data sources are the people, documents, or records that provide the information for the evaluation, such as program staff, beneficiaries, partners, stakeholders, reports, surveys, or databases. Data methods are the tools and techniques that collect and analyze the data, such as interviews, focus groups, observations, questionnaires, tests, or statistical models. Selecting suitable data sources and methods will help you ensure that the data are relevant, credible, and representative of the program and its context.

3 Apply ethical and quality standards

The third step to enhance program evaluation validity and reliability is to apply ethical and quality standards throughout the evaluation process. Ethical standards are the principles and guidelines that protect the rights and dignity of the people involved in the evaluation, such as obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, avoiding harm and coercion, and respecting diversity and cultural sensitivity. Quality standards are the criteria and benchmarks that ensure the rigor and accuracy of the evaluation, such as following a clear and transparent evaluation design, using multiple and triangulated data sources and methods, addressing potential biases and limitations, and reporting and disseminating the findings objectively and honestly. Applying ethical and quality standards will help you increase the trustworthiness and credibility of the evaluation and its results.

4 Involve stakeholders and beneficiaries

The fourth step to enhance program evaluation validity and reliability is to involve stakeholders and beneficiaries in the evaluation process. Stakeholders are the people or groups who have an interest or stake in the program or its evaluation, such as funders, policymakers, partners, staff, or volunteers. Beneficiaries are the people or groups who directly or indirectly benefit from the program or its evaluation, such as participants, clients, communities, or society. Involving stakeholders and beneficiaries will help you gain their input, feedback, and perspectives on the evaluation questions, indicators, data sources, methods, findings, and recommendations. This will help you improve the relevance, accuracy, and usefulness of the evaluation and its results.

5 Validate and verify the data and findings

The fifth step to enhance program evaluation validity and reliability is to validate and verify the data and findings before, during, and after the evaluation. Validation is the process of checking and confirming that the data and findings are accurate, consistent, and complete. Verification is the process of cross-checking and corroborating that the data and findings are supported by other sources and methods. Validating and verifying the data and findings will help you identify and correct any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps in the data and findings and ensure that they are based on sound and robust evidence.

6 Use feedback and learning loops

The sixth and final step to enhance program evaluation validity and reliability is to use feedback and learning loops to improve the program and the evaluation. Feedback loops are the mechanisms and channels that enable the communication and exchange of information and insights between the evaluators, the program staff, the stakeholders, and the beneficiaries. Learning loops are the processes and practices that enable the reflection and application of the evaluation findings and recommendations to improve the program design, implementation, and outcomes. Using feedback and learning loops will help you ensure that the evaluation is responsive, adaptive, and useful for the program and its stakeholders and beneficiaries.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?