Learning and Evaluation/Archive/Learning modules/2Context Evaluation

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Part 1. Overview: Program Evaluation Basics Overview; A Note about Words; What is a Program?; Understanding Programs; What is Program Evaluation?; Why is evaluation important?
Part 2. Stages of Evaluation: The Cycle and Stages of Evaluation; The Tasks of Each Evaluation Stage
Part 3. Types of Evaluation: Types of Evaluation; Needs Assessment; Feasibility Assessment; Monitoring; Context Evaluation; Formative/Process Evaluation; Summative Evaluation; Impact Evaluation
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Program Evaluation Basics Menu

Context evaluation

Stages Involved

Completion & Feedback		Identification

Implementation		Design

Key question:

What external factors influenced the program?

Examines the setting and environment of the program
Assesses how a program interrelates with social, political, economic, geographic, and/or cultural factors influences a program's success or produces unexpected effects.

While a program has a shared set of processes, objectives, and goals across different implementations, sometimes program leaders must make adjustments to meet the context of local communities and participants. Sometimes these adjustments work to create similar results across program implementations; other times, a program will effect change differently depending on the context and different activities in the implementation process.

Evaluation in Action: The Context Evaluation

The Wiki Loves Monuments program for this year was different compared to previous years because the chapter was focusing on important monuments in smaller towns or rural areas.

Before they started the program, they wanted to know how their program might happen differently in this new environment, so they conducted a context evaluation.

What are some differences or challenges they might face when applying the Wiki Loves Monument program to rural areas? What are some external factors that could influence the inputs, outputs, or outcomes of their program differently? For example, during a specific month there could be local events (e.g., tourism, holidays, weather) that could interfere with, or enhance, access and participation.

There may also be political or economic issues specific to a local context that could influence their program, either positively or negatively, by effecting potential participant perspectives and social influences or even available resources.