How to Evaluate - York Consulting

Oldham and Rochdale HMREvaluation Techniques “How to Evaluate”3.29 Within the Cohesion Counts evaluation there was a risk that a one-to-oneconsultation could descend into a critique of all the negative elements oftheir neighbourhoods/neighbours/ children/private lives. It is important togenerate interaction with consultees but there needs to be a steady steer onthe consultation to ensure that it covers the points the evaluation wants touncover.Video Diaries/Reporting3.30 Summary: A couple of the projects involved in the Cohesion CountsEvaluation used “Big Brother” type diary room feedback opportunities.During some of the post-evaluation sessions the activity was filmed by anoutside third party for the Cohesion Counts dissemination of lessons learntand best practice.3.31 Successes: Young people in particular really engaged with the camera andwere keen to get involved and have their say. The Diary Room experiencecan provide a level of confidentiality (people forget they’re talking tosomeone and see it as an anonymous individual) and can encourage someindividuals to be more open and honest than perhaps they would be usingother methods.3.32 Challenges: As with focus groups, strong characters who engage well withthe medium can influence how the rest of the group interact. Mediaequipment can make some people withdraw into themselves as they becomeextremely conscious that they are on camera. Using the material in the rightcircumstance and for the right groups is crucial. Participants who areengaged in a project which is dealing with extremely sensitive and personalissues may not interact as well with this methodology due to the nature ofthe issues they may be addressing through the evaluation activity.42