eStudy

Longer, more in-depth virtual professional development is here! As of July 2011, we are happy to host evaluation’s hottest workshop presenters in Professional Development eStudy. Via this site, you can view and PREregister for upcoming eStudy courses. PD eStudy courses are offered in real-time, live, via webinar, and are 3 or 6 hours long, broken into multiple 90 minute sessions.

Key things to know before registering:

Unlike our Coffee Break Demonstrations, PD eStudy courses are not recorded
You need to attend live and be at a computer attached to the internet to participate
Your registration for an eStudy course covers all sessions for that course
There will be a short homework assignment, requiring an hour or less of your time, between sessions
Registration will close five business days in advance of the first session meeting

Registration: Save time and money by learning through live eStudy courses with no travel needed to attend. Registration fees are based on the length of the full eStudy course and are parallel to the registration fees for the workshops when offered live at AEA's annual conference.

COMPARISON OF eSTUDY REGISTRATION FEES
	MEMBER	NONMEMBER	STUDENT	STUDENT NONMEMBER
eStudy with 3 Contact Hours Total	$75	$100	$40	$55
eStudy with 6 Contact Hours Total	$150	$200	$80	$110
One Year of AEA Membership	$80		$30

Upcoming eStudy Courses

eStudy 012: Intermediate Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use - Michael Quinn Patton
Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays June 11, 13, 18, & 20, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or all sessions.
Length: 6 total contact hours
Description: This eStudy is geared for an audience with intermediate level expertise in developmental evaluation (DE). DE is especially appropriate for innovative initiatives or organizations in dynamic and complex environments where participants, conditions, interventions, and context are turbulent, pathways for achieving desired outcomes are uncertain, and conflicts about what to do are high. DE supports reality-testing, innovation, and adaptation in complex dynamic systems where relationships among critical elements are nonlinear and emergent. Evaluation use in such environments focuses on continuous and ongoing adaptation, intensive reflective practice, and rapid, real-time feedback. The purpose of DE is to help develop and adapt the intervention (different from improving a model).

This evaluation approach involves partnering relationships between social innovators and evaluators in which the evaluator’s role focuses on helping innovators embed evaluative thinking into their decision-making processes as part of their ongoing design and implementation initiatives. DE can apply to any complex change effort anywhere in the world. Through lecture, discussion, and small-group practice exercises, this workshop will position DE as an important option for evaluation in contrast to formative and summative evaluations as well as other approaches to evaluation.

This eStudy will occur in four 90-minute sessions and will include preparation materials sent before, between, and after the sessions.

Day 1 - Emergent methods in practice: The challenges of designing & budgeting developmental evaluation studies

Day 2 - Co-evolution and interdependence: The challenges of the relationship between the developmental evaluator and social innovators (primary intended evaluation users)

Day 3 - Making “real time” feedback meaningful and valid: The challenges of evaluation in a fast-paced, real-time world

Day 4 - Issues raised by participants: Interactions around DE in theory & practice

Presenter: Michael Quinn Patton is an independent consultant based in Minnesota and former president of the American Evaluation Association. An internationally known expert on Utilization-focused Evaluation, this workshop is based on his book, Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use (Guilford, 2010).
Register: https://www.eval.org/webinar_reg/Registrationtop.asp
Last day to register is Monday June 4

eStudy 013: Getting Started: Introductory Consulting Skills for Evaluators - Gail Barrington
Dates: Tuesdays June 12 & 19, 11am-12:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or both sessions.
Length: 3 total contact hours
Description: Are you a program evaluator contemplating venturing out on your own? For many, this may be both an exciting but intimidating prospect. Taught by an independent consultant, this practical eStudy course will reveal the simple but important skills needed to be successful. The course helps participants apply management consulting, entrepreneurial and small business skills to the evaluation and applied research setting. Valuable samples, worksheets, insider tips and trade secrets are provided. Through lecture, anecdote, at-home exercises, and independent reflection, participants are encouraged to identify and address the unique issues they face and to prepare an action plan.

This eStudy will occur in two 90-minute sessions. A pre-course worksheet will be circulated for completion prior to Day 1 and an at-home investigative assignment will precede Day 2. Each session will cover three inter-related topics.

Day 1 - Determining your competitive edge, Pricing methods and fees, Setting up shop

Day 2 - Developing and using your business plan, Managing and tracking time, Marketing secrets and finding work

Presenter: Gail Barrington has more than 25 years of practical experience. She founded Barrington Research Group, Inc. in 1985 and has conducted more than 100 program evaluation studies. In 2008, she won the Canadian Evaluation Society award for her Contribution to Evaluation in Canada. A frequent AEA presenter, she is the author of a new book entitled Consulting Start-up & Management: A Guide for Evaluators and Applied Researchers, released by SAGE in 2012.
Register: https://www.eval.org/webinar_reg/Registrationtop.asp
Last day to register is Friday June 8

eStudy 014: Focus Group Research: Understanding, Designing and Implementing - Michelle Revels
Dates: Thursdays July 12 & 19, 11am-12:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or both sessions.
Length: 3 total contact hours
Description: As a qualitative research method, focus groups are an important tool to help researchers understand the motivators and determinants of a given behavior. This course, based on the seminal work of Richard Krueger and David Morgan, provides a practical introduction to focus group research.

By the completion of this course, attendees will be able to 1) identify and discuss critical decisions in designing a focus group study, 2) understand how research or study questions influence decisions regarding segmentation, recruitment, and screening; and, 3) identify and discuss different types of analytical strategies and focus group reports.

Through lecture and homework, the course will introduce attendees to a framework for organizing and conducting a focus group. This eStudy will occur in two 90-minute sessions and will include preparation materials sent before, between, and after the sessions.

Day 1 - This session will 1) describe focus groups as a form of qualitative research; 2) discuss the different types of focus groups; 3) benefits and limitations of focus groups as well as the most appropriate contexts to use them in; 4) discuss the role of study questions in guiding your focus group research; 5) discuss how to ensure you are asking the right people the right questions (e.g. segmentation, recruitment, and eligibility screening) ; and 6) the role of incentives

Day 2 - This session will 1) discuss how to develop a moderator’s guide; 2) discuss the important factors to consider when selecting a moderator; 3) the costs of conducting a focus groups; 4) confidentiality, research clearance requirements (IRB and OMB) and other special considerations when conducting focus groups; 5) data analysis, including the use of qualitative software; and 6) report writing.

Presenter: Michelle Revels is a technical director at ICF Macro specializing in focus group research and program evaluation. She has taught focus group research methods at both the AEA Annual Conference and CDC/AEA Summer Evaluation Institute for multiple years and to high praise. Ms. Revels attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts and the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Register: https://www.eval.org/webinar_reg/Registrationtop.asp
Last day to register is Friday July 6

eStudy 015: An Executive Summary is Not Enough: Effective Reporting Techniques for Evaluators - Kylie Hutchinson
Dates: Wednesdays August 8 & 15 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or both sessions.
Length: 3 total contact hours
Description: As an evaluator you are conscientious about conducting the best evaluation possible, but how much thought do you give to communicating your results effectively? Do you consider your job complete after submitting a lengthy final report? Reporting is an important skill for evaluators who care about seeing their results disseminated widely and recommendations actually implemented. This webinar will present an overview of three key principles of effective reporting and engage participants in a discussion of its role in effective evaluation. You will leave the webinar with an expanded repertoire of innovative reporting techniques.

This eStudy course will be presented in 2 90-minute sessions:

Day 1 - Principles of Effective Evaluation Reporting

Day 2 - Innovative Reporting Techniques

At the end of this course attendees will be able to describe the role of communication and reporting in good evaluation practice, state 3 principles for effectively communicating evaluation results, and list 3 alternatives to writing a final report.

Presenter: Kylie Hutchinson is a credentialed evaluation consultant, trainer, and instructional designer. She presents regularly for the AEA, CES, and Summer Evaluation Institute as well as her own private webinars. Her interest in dissemination and communications stems from twenty years of experience in the field of evaluation.
Register: https://www.eval.org/webinar_reg/Registrationtop.asp
Last day to register is Wednesday August 1

eStudy 016: Social Network Analysis for Beginners - Kimberly Fredericks
Dates: Wednesdays September 5 & 12, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or both sessions.
Length: 3 total contact hours
Description: This eStudy is geared for an audience that is at the novice level of experience and expertise in social network analysis. Interest in the field of social network analysis has grown considerably over the last decade. Social network analysis takes seriously the proposition that the relationships between individual units or actors are non-random and that their patterns have meaning and significance. It seeks to operationalize concepts such as position, role, or social distance that are sometimes used casually or metaphorically in social, political, and/or organizational studies. This eStudy course seeks to provide an introduction to social network analysis theories, concepts, and applications within the context of evaluation. Participants will be come to a basic understanding of network concepts, methods, and the software that provides for analysis of network properties. Participants will be exposed to real world examples and discussion to facilitate a better understanding of network structure, function and data collection.

This eStudy will occur in two 90-minute sessions and will include preparation materials sent before, between, and after the sessions.

Day 1 - This session seeks to provide an introduction to social network analysis theories and concepts.

Day 2 - This session will focus on analyzing networks.

Presenter: Kimberly Fredericks frequently conducts social network analysis in her role as associate professor at The Sage Colleges, where she is also Associate Dean of the School of Management and the Chair of Graduate Programs. Kim is a regular author and speaker on this subject, including co-editing an issue of New Directions in Evaluation on Social Network Analysis in Program Evaluation.
Register: https://www.eval.org/webinar_reg/Registrationtop.asp
Last day to register is Wednesday August 29

eStudy 017: Social Network Analysis for Intermediates - Kimberly Fredericks
Dates: Wednesdays October 3 & 10, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time. For one registration fee, participants may attend 1 or both sessions.
Length: 3 total contact hours
Description: Interest in the field of social network analysis has grown considerably over the last decade. Social network analysis takes seriously the proposition that the relationships between individual units or actors are non-random and that their patterns have meaning and significance. It seeks to operationalize concepts such as position, role, or social distance that are sometimes used casually or metaphorically in social, political, and/or organizational studies. This eStudy course seeks to provide a briefintroduction to social network analysis theories, concepts, and applications within the context of evaluation and then provides for application of these tools. Participants will come to a more thorough understanding of network concepts, methods, and the software that provides for analysis of network properties. Participants will be exposed to real world examples and discussion to facilitate a better understanding of network structure, function and data collection.

This eStudy will occur in two 90-minute sessions and will include preparation materials sent before, between, and after the sessions.

Day 1 - This session will cover data collection methodologies and tools and an introduction to UCINET, Netdraw, and Network Genie.

Day 2 - This session will also provide for a discussion of applications of social network analysis to evaluation and emerging trends in the field.

In-Progress eStudy Courses

Past eStudy Courses

eStudy 001: Nonparametric Statistics - Jennifer Catrambone

eStudy 002: Utilization-Focused Evaluation - Michael Quinn Patton

eStudy 003: An Executive Summary is Not Enough: Effective Reporting Techniques for Evaluators - Kylie Hutchinson

eStudy 004: Social Network Analysis - Kimberly Fredericks

eStudy 005: Applications of Correlation and Regression: Mediation, Moderation, and More - Dale Berger

eStudy 006: Empowerment Evaluation - David Fetterman

eStudy 007: Introduction to Evaluation - Tom Chapel

eStudy 008: Creating Surveys to Measure Performance and Assess Needs - Michelle Kobayashi

eStudy 009: Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Evaluators - Katherine McKnight

eStudy 010: Using Theories and Frameworks of Evaluation Practice to Inform and Improve our Work - Christina Christie

eStudy 011: Beginner Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use - Michael Quinn Patton