Seven possible evaluation areas of focus

Systematic Outcomes Analysis identifies seven possible areas of evaluation focus.  The first of these is the focus of the 5th building block Evaluation[outcome]. The other six are the focus of the 6th building block - Evaluation[non-outcome].

The seven possible areas of focus for evaluation are:

Focus 1: Establishing whether a particular intervention has caused an improvement in high level outcomes (outcome/impact evaluation)

Focus 2: Establishing whether a particular intervention has caused an improvement in mid level outcomes (process evaluation)

Focus 3: Describing an outcomes model that is actually being implemented in a specific instance (including estimating the cost of undertaking an intervention) (process evaluation)

Focus 4: Comparing an outcomes model being implemented with proposed outcomes model(s) (process evaluation)

Focus 5: Aligning an outcomes model being implemented with a proposed outcomes model or its enhancement (formative evaluation; best practice application)

Focus 6: Describing the different understandings, interpretations or meanings stakeholder have of an outcomes model and its implementation

Focus 7: Describing the effect of the context on the implementation of an outcomes model.
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Copyright Paul Duignan 2005-2008 (updated January 2008)