I am Jeff Wasbes, a Senior Researcher and Project manager with Research Works, Inc., an independent evaluation consulting firm. A simple and functionally useful tool for diagramming systems is the Causal Loop Diagram (CLD). CLDs have been applied in nearly every conceivable discipline because by just using some very basic elements, one can describe the …
Jeff Wasbes on Causal Loop Diagrams Read More »
I am Russell Cole, a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research. At Mathematica, we have used Social Network Analysis (SNA) in a number of systems change evaluations. The goals of system change interventions are to affect individuals, organizations, and communities, with changes in outcomes occurring at various levels. In our work, we have used SNA to …
My name is Matt Keene; I work with the Environmental Protection Agency and coordinate the Environmental Evaluators Network. Chris Metzner (freelance graphic designer and data visualization artist) and Jeff Wasbes (independent evaluation consultant with ResearchWorks, Inc.) helped enormously with this post. In 2009 Oregon became the first state to enact a law requiring paint manufacturers …
EPE Week: Matt Keene on Fuzzy Logic Models – Embracing and Navigating Complexity Read More »
Hi, I’m Jonny Morell and I’m looking for people interested in how agent based modeling can be combined with traditional evaluation methods. For the past few years, I have been thinking and writing a lot about how evaluation can anticipate and respond to unexpected changes in programs. The difficulty as I see it is that …
Hi, this is Barbara Heath and Aruna Lakshmanan of East Main Educational Consulting, LLC. Our group focuses on the evaluation of science, mathematics, and technology programs in K-12 schools and institutes of higher learning. Most evaluation methods assume that the organization or program being evaluated is stable, controllable, and predictable. When the organization is complex, …
Systems Week: Heath & Lakshmanan on Using Systems Thinking to Evaluate Collaboratives Read More »
Greetings, Our names are Mehmet “Dali” Ozturk, Associate Vice President of Research, Evaluation and Development and Kerry Lawton, Senior Research Specialist from Arizona State University’s Office of the Vice President for Education Partnerships (VPEP). Our office works with P-20, public and private sector partners to enhance the academic performance of students in high need communities. Along …
Systems Week: Ozturk & Lawton on Using Systems Thinking to Evaluate Ed Partnerships Read More »
My name is Aimee Sickels and I am the Principal Evaluator and owner of Custom Evaluation Services, an independent evaluation consulting business. I am also currently working on a Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of South Carolina. I am studying about systems approaches to solving some of our most complex social problems. What I’ve learned …
Systems Week: Aimee Sickels on Collaborative Leadership in Systems Work Read More »
My name is Beverly Parsons. I’m the executive director of InSites (a non-profit research, evaluation, and planning organization) and an AEA board member. I have a tip about resources for applying systems concepts to evaluation. This tip is based on InSites’ continually expanding use of systems orientations in evaluations in education, social services, community change, …
Systems Week: Beverly Parsons on Resources for Applying Systems Concepts to Evaluation Read More »
My name is Susan Wolfe and I am the owner of Susan Wolfe and Associates, LLC, an independent consulting firm that applies Community Psychology principles to strengthening organizations and communities. Our services include program evaluation. We have found an ecological perspective useful for thinking through evaluation designs and analyzing the results. One ecological framework I …
Systems Week: Susan Wolfe on Adding an Ecological Perspective to Evaluation Read More »
I’m Glenda Eoyang, Executive Director of the Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) Institute. We help people thrive in the middle of chaotic environments. Our associates draw lessons from complexity sciences to help their clients and colleagues adapt to unpredictable change. We believe that the most complex challenges require the simplest solutions. If you’re already drowning, the …
Systems Week: Glenda Eoyang on Complexity Demands Simplicity Read More »
