Side by Side is committed to a participatory approach to evaluation. The focus of participatory evaluation is to actively engage those who the project is for in all aspects of the evaluation process. This helps them build skills and knowledge that empowers them to effect sustainable change. Rather than simply giving a report card...
Evaluation is an important process undertaken during and after a project to assess what happened and what has changed against the project objectives. Evaluation meets the critical need to know how and whether a project works or doesn’t work. It is how the project accounts to the community in which it occurs and to...
Participatory Action Research has been defined as: “…inquiry by ordinary people acting as researchers to explore questions in their lives, recognise their resources, and produce knowledge, and take action to overcome inequalities often in solidarity with external supporters” (Dickson, G 2000. Aboriginal Mothers’ experience with health promotion and participatory action research, Qualitative Health Research,...
In the current evidence-based culture of academia and government policy, research is a vital part of community practice and program development. The ability of community organisations to undertake research on local issues, and communicate findings effectively is essential. It is a skill enabling them to gain support in addressing issues facing their community in...
Our work with community groups often includes organisational development to enable them to meet their objectives in sustainable ways. We have particular experience in organisational development with Indigenous groups. Some of the work we do in this area includes: Strategic planning processes. Workforce development strategies. Support in developing and negotiating funding applications and project...
Side by Side helps organisations and projects with evaluation by: Providing training and support in all aspects of evaluation. Coordinating evaluation of projects and programs. Planning evaluation processes and methods. Undertaking data collection and developing appropriate data collection tools and methods. Facilitating participatory processes in relation to evaluation of community projects and programs. Analysing...
