Professional Development

Professional Development Opportunity: Why evaluation theory drives evaluation practice

When: Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time

Where: CES webinars take place online using the GoToWebinar platform. You can check your computer’s requirements.

Registration: Please go here to register
If you have any questions please contact Kayla at [email protected].

Cost: Free for all CES members

Webinar focus:

Without an evaluation theory, there can be no evaluation. Explicitly or implicitly, every program evaluation rests on a certain evaluation theory that speaks to the rationale for proceeding with an evaluation, how it will be done, and how its results are expected to inform decision-making. Over time, some have attempted to articulate and document these theories, triggering the emergence of an increasing number of evaluation theories: utilization-focused evaluation, empowerment evaluation, participatory evaluation, developmental evaluation, and so on. Yet, for evaluation practitioners, these concepts often reside in the margins of their daily work. As this webinar will explore, better understanding evaluation theories inevitably leads to stronger and more successful evaluation assignments. Participants will be invited to bridge the gap between evaluation theories and evaluation practice.

Biography of presenter:

François Dumaine is a Partner at PRA Inc. Over the past 16 years, he has led evaluation assignments covering a wide range of initiatives, from complex and multi-partner programming to highly-focussed interventions. His experience is concentrated at the federal government level, but he has also undertaken evaluations for provincial and non-profit organizations. François has offered workshops and presentations during annual conferences of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and of several CES Chapters across Canada, has published in the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation and New Directions on Evaluation, and has served as the National President of CES (2008 to 2010).

Learning objectives:

This webinar aims to strengthen capacities in line with the following Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice:

  • 2.1 Understands the knowledge base of evaluation (theories, models, types, methods and tools)
  • 2.2 Specifies program theory
  • 2.3 Determines the purpose for the evaluation
  • 3.2 Examines organizational, political, community and social contexts
  • 3.5 Serves the information needs of intended users
  • 3.6 Attends to issues of evaluation use
  • 5.10 Demonstrates professional credibility

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