In Genuine Evaluation we focus a lot on asking the right questions, bringing an evaluative frame, and basing answers on sound evidence.  But effective communication is also an important part of genuine evaluation, which is why this video caught our eye.  Hat tip to Stephanie Evergreen on twitter (@evalu8r) for sharing this.

Stuart Henderson recently posed an interesting question on the AEA LinkedIn discussion forum:

Some interesting responses on that thread (click the link above to view – and join the LinkedIn group if you haven’t already!).

A few of us reflected on this the other day at an anzea end-of-year event – what’s new/changed/interesting over the past year in evaluation?

Here are a few thoughts arising from that discussion (and our own perspectives and experiences) – please add your own!

What’s new/changed/interesting/emerging over the past year in evaluation?

1. The emergence of evaluative approaches and methods for complex and emergent programs and policies (examples include Patton’s developmental evaluation, Funnell & Rogers’ Purposeful Program Theory)
2. Less work being done doing “evaluationS” and more work being done at the front end (infusing evaluative thinking into conceptualization and design) and the back end (helping clients think through insights and appropriate changes based on evaluative findings)
3. Some more serious thought being given to really effective data visualization and reporting (oral and written) – Stephanie Evergreen’s work is cutting edge here; see also some thoughts from me about evaluative reporting that actually gets to the point!
4. Getting more systematic about the “how good is good” question when interpreting evaluative findings – the use of evaluative rubrics (or “value keys”) has gained a lot of traction and new uses in different settings are getting very interesting. A great local example here is the use of these to infuse community and indigenous values right into the evaluative criteria (i.e. into defining what constitutes a ‘valuable outcome’ or ‘good programming’).
5. The global economic crisis has led to a sharper focus on value for money and we are grappling with how best to generate an approximate answer to this broad and important question without massively oversimplifying and measuring only the easily measurable (but often trivial).

A frequent theme here on Genuine Evaluation is appropriate reporting. Not just getting the facts right, but reporting them in a non-misleading way. Along those lines, check out this classic, in which all the information is technically correct, but …

Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide

(author unknown)

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.

Dihydrogen monoxide:

• is also known as hydric acid, and is the major component of acidrain.
• contributes to the “greenhouse effect.”
• may cause severe burns.
• contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
• accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
• may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
• has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Contamination Is Reaching Epidemic Proportions!

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. In the Midwest alone DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

• as an industrial solvent and coolant.
• in nuclear power plants.
• in the production of Styrofoam.
• as a fire retardant.
• in many forms of cruel animal research.
• in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
• as an additive in certain “junk-foods” and other food products.

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

The Horror Must Be Stopped!

The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its “importance to the economic health of this nation.” In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.

It’s Not Too Late!

Act NOW to prevent further contamination. Find out more about this dangerous chemical. What you don’t know CAN hurt you and others throughout the world. Send email to no_dhmo@circus.com, or a SASE to:

Coalition to Ban DHMO
211 Pearl St.
Santa Cruz CA,
95060

Note: In case you haven’t figured it out “Dihydrogen monoxide” is H20 – water.

Australia suddenly has a new Prime Minister (leader of the national government), the first time a woman has held the position.  One of the commercial television stations’ news website, ninemsn, led with the headline “The Nation Says ‘No”". 

Really?  Further reading showed that  respondents to a poll on their website (a volunteer sample from a potentially unrepresentative sub-population) had said they would not vote for her in an election.

In politics, where  perception can be everything, will this become part of the political wisdom – or be recognized for a shameless misrepresentation of the facts?  Stay tuned…

Impressive commitment from the new British PM, David Cameron, to make public information about government performance, as reported today on www.number10.gov.uk

The PM said “If there’s one thing I’ve noticed since doing this job, it’s how all the information about government; the money it spends, where it spends it, the results it achieves; how so much of it is locked away in a vault marked sort of private for the eyes of ministers and officials only.

“I think this is ridiculous. It’s your money, your government, you should know what’s going on. So we’re going to rip off that cloak of secrecy and extend transparency as far and as wide as possible. By bringing information out into the open, you’ll be able to hold government and public services to account.”

The statement goes on to announce some of the early information that will be made public:

As a first step, details of public spending over the past 12 months, information about hospital infections and some of the salaries of senior Whitehall officials will be published next week.

Full podcast here

Hmm, without wanting to sound too old and cynical, I do seem to remember hearing similar statements from new governments all over the world in the first flush of election.  Here’s hoping this time it translates into an enduring commitment to sharing this information with the public.

We will be keeping a watch on it.