Abstract Information: In the 20 years since Practicing Evaluation: A Collaborative Approach was published in (O’Sullivan, 2004) collaborative evaluation has gained ground in the field of evaluation while new techniques have emerged to further enhance its practice. This workshop will review the elements of collaborative evaluation and then interactively use examples from past evaluations to highlight and refine ways that evaluators can use the approach. It will particularly emphasize how the collaborative approach lends itself well to culturally responsive evaluation.
Relevance Statement: Collaborative Evaluation engages key program stakeholders actively in the evaluation process. Unlike distanced evaluation, where evaluators have little or no contact with program staff, collaborative evaluation deliberately seeks involvement from program stakeholders during all stages of the evaluation. A collaborative stance can strengthen evaluation results and increase utilization of evaluation findings. Additionally, programs participating in collaborative evaluations develop an enhanced capacity to consume and conduct evaluations, while evaluators gain a better understanding of the program. Further, the approach assumes that evaluation expertise within programs is developmental; and thus, the degree of collaboration must vary by the nature and readiness of the program. Evaluations completed with this collaborative approach have yielded improved data quality, report writing, and evaluation use with a variety of programs. spanning: education, agricultural extension, environmental, family support, food systems, health, Further, it also increases the resources available to the evaluation. Both emerging and experienced evaluators can use collaborative evaluation approaches and techniques to enhance their suite of tools by which to provide clients with quality evidence from their programs in ways that will lead toward enhanced outcomes.
Identified by Fitzpatrick, Sanders, and Worthen (2011) among similar "participant-oriented" evaluation approaches, collaborative evaluation is a term widely used, though its meaning can vary considerably. O’Sullivan (2012) compared collaborative evaluation with participatory evaluation and empowerment evaluation from a theoretical perspective and demonstrated how Collaborative Evaluation distinguished itself from the other approaches. This workshop will use O’Sullivan’s framework to expand participants’ understanding of and ability to use the collaborative evaluation approach.
O’Sullivan, R. G. (2004). Practicing Evaluation: A Collaborative Approach. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.
