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Research Release
November 9, 2009
Contact:Dana Yonchak
Director, Strategic Communications
617.502.6152
Engaging Users in Evaluation Questions Enriches Value of Results
Evaluation participants are more actively and meaningfully ngaged in evaluation projects when
they are involved early and often in framing the project's questions, notes a report released today by FSG Social Impact Advisors and its Strategic Learning and valuation Center, with
support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In A Practical Guide for Engaging Stakeholders in Developing Evaluation Questions, the
researchers note that soliciting input from stakeholders early in the process results in more successfully addressing specific stakeholder interests for improving program effectiveness,
affecting policy decisions, and instituting behavioral change.
Laura Leviton, Special Adviser for Evaluation at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, notes, "Evaluation can play an important role in supporting a grantmaker's own learning and
development process, as well as enhancing learning for grantees and the broader field." She
adds, "Engaging stakeholders in developing an evaluation's key questions is a powerful process for
understanding perceived impact of the evaluation project, recognizing diverse viewpoints and
perspectives, and for achieving meaningful evaluation results to drive desired social change and
impact."
This practical guide describes a five-step process for engaging stakeholders in developing
evaluation questions, and includes four worksheets to facilitate the planning and implementation
of a stakeholder engagement process. Download the guide for free from FSG's website or from
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website.
About FSG's Strategic Learning & Evaluation Center
The Strategic Learning and Evaluation Center at FSG offers field-building and client services
including tools, training, and research to introduce and support innovative evaluation
practice. Learn more about FSG's Evaluation Center online, or contact Hallie Preskill, Executive
Director of the Strategic Learning and Evaluation Center.
About FSG Social Impact Advisors
FSG Social Impact Advisors is an international nonprofit consulting and research organization
dedicated to accelerating the pace of social progress by advancing the practice of philanthropy.
FSG helps leading foundations, nonprofits and corporations increase their social impact through strategy consulting and evaluation services. In addition, FSG works to strengthen the field of
philanthropy by researching, developing and sharing ideas and knowledge that address critical social issues. For more information, contact Dana Yonchak or see FSG online at www.fsg-impact.org.
About The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues
facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the
health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of
organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and
timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and
a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it
serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the
Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit
www.rwjf.org.
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