Table 1 Types of evaluation according to the main criteria of division
From: The use of evaluation methods for the overall assessment of health policy: potential and limitations
Criteria | Evaluation method | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
Time | Ex ante | Provides strategic information about the main choices at an early stage, when the possibility to influence the course of an undertaking is greatest Ex ante evaluation is a broad initial assessment aimed at identifying which alternative will yield the greatest benefit from an intended investment The goal of ex post evaluation is first and most importantly to assess the lessons learned in an undertaking |
Mid-term evaluation | It serves two immediate purposes: decision-making and taking stock of initial lessons from experience Provides a programme or project manager with a basis for identifying appropriate actions to: (a) address particular issues or problems in design, implementation and management, and (b) reinforce initiatives that demonstrate the potential for success | |
Ex-post | Systematic and objective assessment of a completed project, programme or policy—in the context of their planning, implementation and obtained results Its objective is the determination of real effects and justification of intervention in a particular form | |
Purpose | Formative | Any evaluation activity directed at improving a programme's design, planning, development and implementation It is directed at ensuring independent constructively critical input into programme development |
Summative | Involves post-implementation assessment of the net and gross effects of the program | |
Scope | Meta-evaluation | An instrument used to aggregate findings from a series of evaluations Involves an evaluation of the quality of this series of evaluations and its adherence to established good practice in evaluation |
Cluster evaluation | Focuses on progress in achieving the overall objectives of the program initiative Covers a group of projects to identify common threads and topics that become more relevant after cross-confirmation | |
Evaluator | Independent | It provides an understanding of the following: How well a program has articulated its vision and is achieving its mission The quality of activities and how useful they are in meeting clients’ needs How capacities such as financial and executive management, governance and country-based resources affect quality |
Participatory | Researchers, facilitators, or professional evaluators collaborate in some way with individuals, groups, or communities who have a decided stake in the program, development project, or other entity being evaluated | |
Position in relation to the evaluated entity | External | Evaluation should be undertaken by non-staff members (‘external evaluators’) |
Internal | Evaluation should be undertaken by staff members (‘internal evaluators’) |