General Methods or Ways to Create Your Own Method
Participant Voice
This set of tools intend to help programs/organizations understand how participants experience their program(s). Because of the qualitative nature of the tools, this approach lifts up participants’ voice in their own words, as opposed to a closed-ended survey tool. These tools help capture the nuance and story of participant experience and can be useful for both internal understanding and external reports to funders, boards, members, and other key partners.
Focus Groups
can be used to explore participants' thoughts and experiences through group discussion.
Tests of Knowledge
Tests of knowledge can be used to determine an audience's current state of knowledge on an issue or understanding of a skill.
Interviews
can be used to understand someone's impression or experience or learn more about their responses to other methods (like ).
Surveys
can be used to to quickly and/or easily get a lot of information from people.
Observations
Observations are a way to gather more information about how a program actually operates, particularly about processes.