aes19 International Evaluation Conference

Fiona Christian (ARTD Consultants), David Wakelin (ARTD Consultants)

Service providers are generating and collecting more data than ever before, and analysis of this data has become a standard feature of many evaluations. While these data sets are an important source of information for evaluation, they are not always in the most appropriate format. When evaluation teams and evaluation commissioners are not sufficiently prepared for administrative data analysis, evaluation time is lost and the quality of insights that could be gained about participants, their profiles, program engagement and outcomes is reduced. Being prepared for administrative data analysis is critical, especially if there are tight timeframes or deadlines in place.

This presentation will help evaluators and evaluation commissioners to better prepare for the administrative data component of evaluation. It will provide practical advice on what's needed for administrative data to more effectively and efficiently support evaluations and contribute to stronger findings and recommendations. To do this, we will present six key areas of preparation. Considering these areas ahead of your evaluation will make you better prepared for sharing information and handling questions from the evaluators and will give you an insight into how your program is working internally.

The presentation will also enable evaluators to conduct evaluability assessments at any stage of their program - from design to implementation - by recognising the strengths and weaknesses of their data when an evaluation commences.