Surveys are an excellent source of information that help organizations understand the communities they serve. Unfortunately, not all surveys generate quality data due to common survey mistakes and ineffective survey designs. Here are 6 survey mistakes that organizations commonly make: Mistake #1: Using All Qualitative or All Quantitative Questions Using all qualitative or quantitative survey …
This year, REC blogs will focus on data best practices. We have explored some of these practices in the past, as in 6 Tips to Collect Quality Data. This blog series will elaborate on several data collection best practices as nonprofit organizations and their programs are getting back to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. Now …
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 …
As technology has rapidly increased the ability to collect, store, and utilize data, the term “data-driven organization” has suddenly become a necessary priority. But what IS a data-driven organization and why does it matter? Does YOUR organization harness data to make decisions? What is a Data-Driven Organization? You might think that using data is reserved …
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 …
Evaluation is a powerful tool for nonprofit organizations. In fact, evaluation is the “secret sauce” that differentiates organizations that thrive versus those that only survive. Additionally, evaluation can be a catalyst for positive change. For example, REC worked with a client for three years. At first, there were some reservations about data and using evaluation. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
