Aarin Frigon, M.A. I’m sorry…are we speaking the same language? The importance of establishing...

Aarin Frigon, M.A.

I’m sorry…are we speaking the same language?

The importance of establishing evaluation relationships.

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Why are we here?

Help people!– Find the best possible way.– Help as many people as possible.

Evaluation

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The Ideal

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Evaluation

Researchers

Policy Makers

Service Providers

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Different Planets

Researchers– Gold standard of

research– Randomized Controlled

Trials (RCTs)– Controlled environment – Publish, publish,

publish– Generalize

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Different Planets

Policy Makers / Funders– Political pressures– Anecdotal evidence– Headlines– Reappointed– Limited resources

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Different Planets

Service Providers– Face-to-face– Limited resources– Competing for funds– Personal– People not numbers

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Different Languages

UW (United Worlds) Summit– Different

languages– Same words,

different meanings

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Different Languages

Purpose– Researchers

Acquire knowledge Generalize

– Policy Makers Best distribution of limited funds Public opinion

– Service Providers Acquire more funding Continued service delivery

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Different Languages

Criteria– Researchers

Significant difference Randomized Control Trial

– Policy Makers Public opinion Anecdotal

– Service Providers One-on-one testimonial Client success

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Different Languages

Collaboration = Confusions– Researchers

Unrealistic standards Expectations

– Policy Makers Costs Publicity

– Service Providers Resources for evaluation Evaluation knowledge

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Why bother?

To help people– Effectively & Efficiently

Decisions informed by research Effective use of limited resources Keep programs

running

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Evaluationese

Collaboration = Resources– Financial– Methods– Expertise– Access to clients– Trained personnel– Dissemination

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Evaluationese

Collaboration = Education– Benefits evaluation– Different from research– Resource allocation– Program efficiency– Dissemination of results– Public education

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Evaluationese

Collaboration = Trust– Remove fear– Public trust– Academic trust– Relationships

Exchange & implementatio

n of ideas

Created by Dolighan for Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

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Evaluationese Collaboration = Change/Helping

people

Exchange & implementatio

n of ideas

Exchange & implementatio

n of ideas

Exchange & implementatio

n of ideas

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Evaluationese

How do you learn a new language?– Venture beyond your

planet– Communicate

Objectives Criteria Success Logistics Etc…

Created by Dolighan for Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

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Evaluationese

How do you learn a new language?– Learn & educate– Patience – Understanding – Attend UW Summits (aka DHRN Network

Conferences)

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Questions?

Aarin Frigon, M.A.

afrigon@asc4solutions.com