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Data Collection

Using Existing Data

Sometimes evaluators are able to use information that already exists without going through the expensive and time-consuming process of collecting new data. Information collected by the program for a variety of purposes may have value for performance measurement and evaluation. Evaluators can often make relatively small changes in the program's practices and procedures that will result in data that can be more readily used for evaluation. Examples of existing data on program participants that might be able to be used for evaluation include:

• Attendance records
• Counseling forms and progress notes
• Discharge summaries
• Presentence investigation reports
• Psychological testing and other classification information

Learn More...

Ensuring That Evaluations Yield Valid and Reliable Findings (U.S. Department of Education)

Verifying the Accuracy of the Data (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

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