General guides to monitoring and evaluation
Click on the title links to jump to details:
Does Your Money Make A Difference (Charities Evaluation Services)
Evaluating community projects: a practical guide (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)
Evaluation Resource Pack (Paul Hamlyn Foundation, in association with the Institute of National Adult Continuing Education)
The Evidence Guide (Barnardo's)
First steps in monitoring and evaluation (Charities Evaluation Services)
A Funder’s Guide to Evaluation: leveraging evaluation to improve non-profit effectiveness (Fieldstone Alliance in collaboration with Grantmakers for Effective Organisations, USA)
Learning, Evaluation and Planning (LEAP): a handbook for partners in community learning (Community Development Foundation)
A little book of evaluation (Connexions Service National Unit)
Monitoring and evaluation (Voluntary Action Sheffield)
Monitoring and Evaluation in Context (Plymouth Monitoring and Evaluation Development Group (PMEDG))
Practical monitoring and evaluation: a guide for voluntary organisations (Charities Evaluation Services)
Self-evaluation: a handy guide to sources (May 2003) (Big Lottery Fund)
Using ICT to improve your monitoring and evaluation: a workbook to help you develop an effective ICT system (Performance Hub)|
Title |
Does Your Money Make A Difference |
|
Developed by |
Libby Cooper and Heather Mayall for Charities Evaluation Services |
|
Year published |
2001 |
|
Developed for |
Statutory and voluntary funders of any size |
|
Available from |
Charities Evaluation Services email: enquiries@ces-vol.org.uk web: www.ces-vol.org.uk tel: 020 7713 5722 |
|
Price |
£10.95 + p&p |
|
Approach |
Self-assessment tool |
|
Practical tools |
The tool provided provides models of good practice in monitoring and evaluation according to resource levels |
|
Use of case examples |
Short case examples are used to illustrate points |
|
Lists additional resources |
No |
|
Size |
26 pp |
|
Description |
This informal tool was developed from CES’ work with funders and following a study carried out on behalf of the National Audit Office. It explores the reasons for evaluating grant giving and urges funders to evaluate in a way appropriate to their circumstances. Section 3 addresses good practice, suggesting key principles, illustrated by case examples. Section 4 comprises the self-assessment tool itself, permitting grantmakers to plot themselves at a level appropriate to their capacity and the standards they are seeking to meet. |
|
Title |
Evaluating community projects: a practical guide |
|
Developed by |
Marilyn Taylor, Derrick Purdue, Mandy Wilson and Pete Wilde for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation |
|
Year published |
2005 |
|
Developed for |
Initially developed for the 20 community or voluntary organisations taking part in the JRF Neighbourhood Programme to evaluate their work. However, this guide may also be of interest to other voluntary and community organisations looking for an introduction to evaluation |
|
Available from |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)Contacts: 01904 615905, info@jrf.org.uk Can be downloaded from the bookshop section of the JRF website www.jrf.org.uk |
|
Price |
Free to download from the JRF website |
|
Approach |
Self-evaluation and a general introduction and guide to evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
The guide includes a menu of information gathering methods, a table for reviewing your project (complete with example) and a table for planning your evaluation. |
|
Use of case examples |
Provides suggested examples of issues JRF Neighbourhood Programme organisations might consider |
|
Lists additional resources |
No |
|
Size |
12pp |
|
Description |
This booklet provides a short introduction to evaluation and presents five steps to follow when evaluating a community project |
|
Title |
Evaluation Resource Pack |
|
Developed by |
Jane Thompson for Paul Hamlyn Foundation, in association with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education |
|
Year published |
2007 |
|
Developed for |
Front-line workers and volunteers in the voluntary and community sector |
|
Available from |
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation 020 7227 3500 |
|
Price |
£12.50 + £1.25 postage and packing |
|
Approach |
Self-evaluation with an emphasis on participatory methods |
|
Practical tools |
The pack focuses on tools for planning, recording and assessing a project |
|
Use of case examples |
Some example tools are provided from the contributing projects |
|
Lists additional resources |
No |
|
Size |
85 pages |
|
Description |
This is a very easy to use pack, designed to introduce groups to the process of evaluation and report writing. It provides key points about core evaluation research methods, and focuses particularly on creative methods for collecting evidence. |
|
Title |
The Evidence Guide |
|
Developed by |
Barnardo’s |
|
Year published |
2006 |
|
Developed for |
Social care professionals |
|
Available from |
Barnardo’s, Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG. Tel: 020 8550 8822 |
|
Price |
Each module includes a learner’s pack and a trainer’s pack. Learner’s packs are £12 each per module and trainer’s packs are £22 each per module. The whole set is £140. |
|
Approach |
Outcomes and general evaluation; eEvidence based research |
|
Practical tools |
Sample session plans, activities and handouts |
|
Use of case examples |
No |
|
Lists additional resources |
Some references provided |
|
Size |
|
|
Description |
This pack contains five modules:
Each module is designed to be worked individually and includes a learner’s pack and a trainer’s pack. The learner's packs use individual activities, review questions and key message boxes to facilitate interactive, self-guided learning. The trainer's packs contain session plans, learning outcomes and group activities as well as a CD of handouts and slides in order to run a training course. |
|
Title |
First steps in monitoring and evaluation |
|
Developed by |
Charities Evaluation Service |
|
Year published |
2002 |
|
Developed for |
Charities and community organisations that are looking at monitoring and evaluation for the first time. |
|
Available from |
Charities Evaluation Service, www.ces-vol.org.uk Contacts: 020 7713 5692, enquiries@ces-vol.org.uk |
|
Price |
Hard copy £6.50 plus 10% p&p Also available to download for free from the publications section of www.ces-vol.org.uk |
|
Approach |
Self-evaluation and a general introduction and guide to evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
Checklists for each step in the evaluation process |
|
Use of case examples |
The case study of a family centre is used throughout the guide |
|
Lists additional resources |
Other CES publications are listed |
|
Size |
25pp |
|
Description |
This guide provides a practical, five step approach to monitoring and evaluating your own project or organisation |
|
Title |
A Funder’s Guide to Evaluation: leveraging evaluation to improve non-profit effectiveness |
|
Developed by |
Peter York for Fieldstone Alliance in collaboration with Grantmakers for Effective Organisations, USA |
|
Year published |
2005 |
|
Developed for |
Grantmakers in the United States |
|
Available from |
Fieldstone Alliance |
|
Price |
$41.95 |
|
Approach |
Focus on evaluative learning as a means of increasing nonprofit effectiveness |
|
Practical tools |
Appendices contain some worksheets and assessment tools, eg, a funder readiness tool and a logic model development tool |
|
Use of case examples |
Limited |
|
Lists additional resources |
No |
|
Size |
127 pages |
|
Description |
This book discusses the use of evaluation as a capacity-building tool within the context of US non-profit organisations, inviting non-profits to focus on learning to improve, rather than to prove results. It considers what is evaluated, who is involved and how funders can work together with external evaluators and grantees to develop learning. The book advocates a pragmatic approach to gathering information and its basic principles could be applied within a UK setting. |
|
Title |
Learning, Evaluation and Planning (LEAP): a handbook for partners in community learning |
|
Developed by |
Alan Barr for the Community Development Foundation |
|
Year published |
2002 |
|
Developed for |
The LEAP framework is used for planning and evaluating community learning activity throughout Scotland. It will equally be of value to organisations or community projects wishing to establish a structured and focused approach to planning and evaluating their work. |
|
Available from |
Community Development Foundation Contacts: 020 7833 1772, admin@cfd.org.uk |
|
Price |
£17.95 plus 10% pp |
|
Approach |
Framework for planning evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
Yes |
|
Use of case examples |
The Leap resources section of the website (http://leap.scdc.org.uk/resources-downloads/leap-resources/) provides detailed case study provided of application of the framework to volunteer centres in Scotland. There are also a number of detailed case studies of the application of the framework to different types of individual community organisations. Further details from the individual case study organisations, such as plans and outcomes, can be found on the case study section of the website. |
|
Lists additional resources |
Not found |
|
Size |
76pp spiral bound |
|
Description |
This handbook shows you how to build evaluation into your planning process from the outset, and provides practical help in all the stages involved, and includes developing outcomes and indicators. A number of accompanying publications are also available:
The CDF office in Scotland, Scottish Community Development Centre, have also developed:
|
|
Title |
A little book of evaluation |
|
Developed by |
Connexions Service National Unit. Published by the Department for Education and Skills |
|
Year published |
2001 |
|
Developed for |
The book was originally designed to support Connexions’ project managers, but it contains general information on evaluation applicable to other contexts as well. |
|
Available from |
The prove and improve website www.proveandimprove.org/new/practicalguides.php |
|
Price |
Free to download from the ‘prove and improve’ website |
|
Approach |
Self-evaluation and a general introduction to monitoring and evaluation. |
|
Practical tools |
Practical tips on planning an evaluation and an example evaluation plan and timetable; advantages and disadvantages of different information gathering methods such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups; also on reporting and disseminating findings. |
|
Use of case examples |
Case studies of the Connexions pilots are used to illustrate different points. |
|
Lists additional resources |
References and bibliography provided. |
|
Size |
40 pp |
|
Description |
This booklet provides a useful overview of the issues and a framework to enable project managers and practitioners to evaluate and assess their work effectively. It provides practical guidance to encourage thinking about ‘what works and what doesn’t’, and to explore the questions ‘where am I now?’ and ‘what do I want to achieve?’ |
|
Title |
Monitoring and evaluation |
|
Developed by |
Voluntary Action Sheffield |
|
Year published |
No date found |
|
Developed for |
Voluntary and community organisations |
|
Available from |
|
|
Price |
Free to download from website. For more information contact: Voluntary Action Sheffield Tel: 0114 253 6600 Email: info@vas.org.uk Website: www.vas.org.uk |
|
Approach |
A brief introduction on what is monitoring and evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
|
|
Use of case examples |
One example |
|
Lists additional resources |
Useful publications |
|
Size |
10pp |
|
Description |
A VAS information sheet on:
|
|
Title |
Monitoring and Evaluation in Context |
|
Developed by |
Plymouth Monitoring and Evaluation Development Group (PMEDG) |
|
Year published |
Aug 2005 |
|
Developed for |
Groups and individuals who are relatively new to monitoring and evaluation activities. |
|
Available from |
http://www.plymouth-informed.org.uk/Docs/PMEDG/Monitoring%20and%20Evaluation%20context.pdf |
|
Price |
Free to download from website |
|
Approach |
Self-evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
No |
|
Use of case examples |
A fictional project is used to help illustrate and explain key terms and methods used. |
|
Lists additional resources |
Yes |
|
Size |
16pp |
|
Description |
A short, easy to understand guide to understanding the links between monitoring and evaluation, why it is important, how to plan your monitoring and evaluation, ethics and data protection. It provides a useful glossary, references and further reading at the end. |
|
Title |
Practical monitoring and evaluation: a guide for voluntary organisations |
|
Developed by |
Jean Ellis for Charities Evaluation Service |
|
Year published |
2005 (2nd edition) |
|
Developed for |
The full range of voluntary and community organisations, from small community based projects to large organisations providing a complex range of services at a number of sites. |
|
Available from |
Charities Evaluation Service, www.ces-vol.org.uk Contacts: 020 7713 5692, enquiries@ces-vol.org.uk |
|
Price |
£33.50 plus 10% pp |
|
Approach |
Covers both self-evaluation and external evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
The final section of the guide is a practical toolkit providing tips and templates for analysing data and data collection tools. A useful glossary is also included at the end. |
|
Use of case examples |
Examples of different organisations are used throughout to illustrate the points and use of the tools |
|
Lists additional resources |
Two pages of suggested further reading |
|
Size |
135pp |
|
Description |
A practical and accessible guide covering the following topics:
It demonstrates the CES planning triangle as a tool for setting aims, objectives, outputs, outcomes and impacts and illustrates how to develop an evaluation framework. The guide works through the cycle of planning, monitoring, evaluation and utilisation of findings. The text is divided into basic and further information and is designed to be accessible to organisations that are new to monitoring and evaluation as well as those that already have basic systems in place. |
|
Title |
Self-evaluation: a handy guide to sources (May 2003) |
|
Developed by |
Ambreen Shah, Evaluation and Research Analyst for BIG Lottery Fund |
|
Year published |
2005 |
|
Developed for |
Voluntary and community organisations |
|
Available from |
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/er_eval_self_evaluation_uk.pdf |
|
Price |
Free to download from BIG Lottery Fund website. |
|
Approach |
Monitoring and self-evaluation resources |
|
Practical tools |
No |
|
Use of case examples |
No |
|
Lists additional resources |
Useful websites |
|
Size |
16pp |
|
Description |
General self-evaluation resources as well as resources on education, health and environment. Includes useful websites. |
|
Title |
Using ICT to improve your monitoring and evaluation: a workbook to help you develop an effective ICT system |
|
Developed by |
Written by Dr Simon Davey, Diana Parkinson and Avan Wadia for the Performance Hub, now the National Performance Programme at CES |
|
Year published |
2008 |
|
Developed for |
Anyone wishing to develop an effective ICT system to improve their monitoring and evaluation |
|
Available from |
CES via Central Books http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=126 |
|
Price |
£12 plus 10% p&p |
|
Approach |
ICT and monitoring and evaluation |
|
Practical tools |
Tips for every step |
|
Use of case examples |
Yes |
|
Lists additional resources |
Glossary and checklist plus an example evaluation framework and a worksheet on the different options available to groups and organisations. |
|
Size |
86pp |
|
Description |
This is very useful workbook to developing an ICT system for monitoring and evaluation by using the 17 steps and covers issues to consider before developing an ICT system. There is a help and support section at the end that includes further reading, sources of advice and help and other help. |
