data collection Archives

Chalkboard illustration showing the process from idea to planning, strategy, and success, with icons representing each stage of nonprofit evaluation planning

Unlocking the Basics of Evaluation Planning

Why Evaluation Matters In the nonprofit world, the pressure to demonstrate impact and accountability is higher than ever. Evaluation planning is a powerful tool for nonprofits to assess their effectiveness, optimize resource allocation, and build trust with funders and stakeholders. Whether your nonprofit focuses on education, health, environmental conservation, or social justice, a robust evaluation […]

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Data Collection in Practice: A Non-profit Case Study

Leave a Comment / Data Practices, Nonprofit Resources / Annette

Since there are many different data collection methods, selecting the best method is an important step when creating an evaluation plan. However, there are no clear cut “right” methods. While our past posts have presented four data collection methods and the pros and cons of each, this blog will follow a fictional non-profit, Organization X,

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How to Become a Data-Driven Organization

Leave a Comment / Nonprofit Resources / Annette

If it feels like everyone uses the term “data-driven organization”, you would be right! In the last thirty years, technology has rapidly increased and evolved, bringing data processes and systems along. In the world today, “the business of data” is rapidly becoming a new sector of the economy worldwide (Press, 2020). Clearly, data-driven organizations are

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5 Tips for Creating a Survey

Leave a Comment / Program Evaluation, Surveys / Annette

Surveys are fantastic tools for evaluation. They help your organization determine what is working, what can be improved, and provide information to tell your story of impact. Surveys also allow for more complex analyses using descriptive and inferential statistics. This blog provides 5 tips for creating a survey when your organization is ready for evaluation and

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Program Evaluation Helps Nonprofits

Leave a Comment / Program Evaluation / Annette

Important Questions How do you know your organization is making a difference? How do you decide what programs or services to offer? What do you tell your funders? How do you know your organization is ready to evaluate? Program Evaluation Informs Decisions These are all important questions and ones that nonprofit leaders grapple with daily. Whether you

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6 Evaluation Solutions

1 Comment / Evaluation Challenges / Annette

In Part One of this blog series we discussed six key challenges that can arise when conducting evaluations in the research world. Evaluation work is tough; mistakes can be made, big complications can arise and the challenges can feel overwhelming. Here we discuss solutions to the evaluation challenges that we highlighted in Part One, which

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6 Evaluation Challenges

4 Comments / Evaluation Challenges / Annette

In the world of research, evaluations are paramount. But what exactly is an evaluation? At REC we think of evaluations as systematic methods for collecting, analyzing, and using the information to understand the effectiveness and efficiency of projects, policies, and programs. In an ideal research world, evaluations are carried out perfectly and the results are

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Tips for Conducting Qualitative Interviews

Leave a Comment / Quality Research / Annette

Think for a minute about your best job interview experience. What made it stand out? The respect, the warmth, the empathy, the knowledge gained and shared? All of these are elements of a successful job interview and they are also critical elements of conducting a successful qualitative interview. A qualitative interview is a method of

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An Informal Evaluation of 2017

Leave a Comment / Data Practices, Program Evaluation, Quality Research / Annette

It’s hard to believe that 2017 is already over! REC was involved in so many different kinds of research and evaluation projects this past year. From early childhood education programs to evaluating services for older adults, REC was able to apply our quality research and evaluation skills to help the nonprofit community. As founder and

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Two different color bags with zipper used to illustrate the concept of different data collection methods

4 Data Collection Methods – Pros and Cons

2 Comments / Quality Research / Annette

It’s important to understand that there are pros and cons of each type of data collection method. To determine which strategy is best for you, first review your priorities, and decide what kind of data you want to obtain at the end of your collection. Then ask yourself a few key questions to help hone

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