Tool: Involving Community Members in Evaluation When community members are involved in evaluation, all aspects of the project, from identification of the question to dissemination of results, are more likely to reflect the priorities, values, and experiences of the community. In any evaluation or research project, community involvement can be considered along a continuum, where community members have increasing levels of influence and responsibility. This planning framework, which can be used by organizations responsible for conducting or funding evaluation projects, can increase transparency, establish shared expectations, serve as a starting point to further clarify roles, and increase accountability. Read more from the Amherst H Wilder Foundation website. Download the PDF for the tool here. Tool: Data Walks and Narrative Methods A Data Walk is a participatory process that engages stakeholders, including community members, in interpreting visual data such as maps, charts, photos, and statistics. Stakeholders should be engaged in the design of Data Walks to select which data to display and identify appropriate spaces to host the walk. This collaborative approach increases ownership, strengthens interpretation, and supports sustainability by positioning community members as co-creators of insight rather than passive recipients of information. Evaluators can consider using the Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methodology (TCCM) framework to organize and reflect on what emerges from the walk. Using a structured reflection process ensures that community narratives are not only heard but thoughtfully integrated into context-sensitive evaluation and decision-making. Read more from the American Evaluation Association website.
