Resources I recommend
Here are some of the resources I use regularly myself.
They include tools I coach my clients to use, as well as useful websites.
They will save you time with your evaluation.
Tools
Survey Monkey
An easy-to-use online tool to create a survey and collect responses and automatically summarise the results of tick box questions. You can export results into a spreadsheet to analyse open-ended questions.
http://surveymonkey.com
Excel Pivot Tables
A quick way to summarise information in an Excel database. Once I’ve categorised the results of open-ended questions I quickly summarise the results in a Pivot Table, and then go on to create a chart. The following link shows how to create a Pivot Table.
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/ME/mes9p4.html
Mindjet : MindManager
I use MindManager software as a creative tool to brainstorm ideas, and then as an organiser to structure them, though it has many other uses.
http://www.mindjet.com/uk/
Google Analytics
If you want to know how find people find your website, which pages they go to, where they leave, and lots more, try Google Analytics. It’s an easy-to-use, free tool.
http://www.google.com/analytics/
Websites and guides
UK Evaluation Society (UKES) : Good practice guidelines
The Library page of the UKES website includes helpful, succinct guidelines for: evaluators, commissioners, evaluation participants and self-evaluation.
http://www.evaluation.org.uk/resources/guidelines.aspx
Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS)
Evaluation Support Scotland works with voluntary organisations and funders so they can measure the impact of their work. They provide practical support and access to helpful resources and tools.
http://www.evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk/
Scottish Enterprise : Evaluation Guidance Note -
A Summary Guide to Evaluating Economic Development Projects or Programmes, 2008, (pdf file: 64pp)
“This guidance note introduces, to a basic level, a range of research and evaluation topics. The material is intended to assist non‐specialists in undertaking relatively straightforward evaluation activities…” Includes Checklists, and Hints & Tips.
http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/~/media/SE/Resources/Documents/About%20us/Research/EvaluationsandEconomicImpactStudies/EvaluationGuidanceNote.ashx
Plain English Campaign : The plain English guide to writing reports
“When writing reports, make your audience’s job as easy as possible. Use active verbs and short sentences and keep to the point, just as you would in any kind of writing. This guide covers the main stages of writing a report.”
http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/howto.pdf