1. INTRODUCTION TO THE TOOLKIT

   • About the Toolkit
   • Toolkit Contents
   • Using the Toolkit
   • Case Study Background

2. INTRODUCTION TO EVALUATION

   • Defining Evaluation
   • Purpose of Evaluation
   • Types of Evaluation
   • Challenges to Conducting an Evaluation

   • Who Should Conduct the Evaluation

     • Assessing Readiness
     • Using a Team Approach
     • Using External Evaluators

   • Considerations for Planning

     • Human Subjects Protections
     • Cultural Competency
     • Budgeting for Evaluation
     • Working with Funders

   • Framework for Evaluation

     • Framework Components
     • Evaluation Standards

3. PLAN YOUR EVALUATION

   • Step 1: Engage Stakeholders

     • Engage Stakeholders
     • Identifying Key Stakeholders
     • Engaging Stakeholders
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 2: Develop a Logic Model

     • Develop a Logic Model
     • What is a Program Description?
     • Introducing Logic Models
     • Creating a Logic Model for Evaluation
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 3: Focus the Evaluation

     • Focus the Evaluation
     • Decide What to Evaluate
     • Develop Evaluation Questions
     • What Are Indicators?
     • Start the Evaluation Plan
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 4a: Plan Data Collection

     • Plan Data Collection
     • Identify Data Sources
     • Select Data Collection Methods
     • Tools and Resources

   • Finalize Your Evaluation Plan

     • Identify the Person Responsible and a Timeline
     • Review Your Evaluation Plan
     • Tools and Resources

4. IMPLEMENT YOUR EVALUATION

   • Introduction
   • Review Your Evaluation Plan

   • Step 4b: Collect Data

     • Design Data Collection Instruments
     • Additional Considerations in Data Collection
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 5: Analyze and Interpret Data

     • Analyze and Interpret Data
     • Organize the Data
     • Analyze the Data and Synthesize Results
     • Interpret the Results
     • Identify Limitations
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 6: Share Results

     • Share Results
     • Develop Recommendations
     • Communicate the Findings
     • Follow-up
     • Tools and Resources

TOOLS:Worksheets|Glossary

What Are Indicators?

Brainstorm Indicators | Criteria for Selecting Indicators | Additional Considerations to Finalize Indicators

An indicator is a unit of information that serves to answer your evaluation question; it should be specific and measurable. Indicators define the criteria by which a program will be judged, answering the question "If the outcome is achieved, how will you know it?" Identifying indicators is often overlooked, as people tend to jump from developing evaluation questions to designing data collection methods (e.g., writing a questionnaire). However, identifying indicators is a crucial step in evaluation planning.

Indicators:

• Focus your evaluation by articulating what information you need to know. For any one evaluation question, you could look at several different indicators. The indicators you select are the information you are committing to measure.
• Drive your data collection efforts. By defining your indicators, you know what information you need, and can then determine how to most effectively and efficiently collect that information.
• Show your progress even if you cannot yet show your program's impact on the longer-term outcomes.

Here are some simple examples of indicators:

• An indicator of academic achievement is the score that students receive on standardized tests.
• An indicator of a residential area's walkability is the proportion of streets that have sidewalks.
• An indicator of children's health status is the percentage of those who have received age-appropriate immunizations.