Twelve tips for evaluating educational programs

Abstract

At one time or another, nearly all educators will need to evaluate an educational program to determine its merit or worth. These tips will help readers collect information to inform a meaningful evaluation, whether for local use or broad dissemination (i.e., research). The two most important questions in any evaluation are, ‘Whose opinion matters?’ and ‘What would really be meaningful to them?’ Other key steps include getting input from others, focusing on desired outcomes before selecting instruments, considering the validity or trustworthiness of the data, and pilot testing the evaluation process.

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Notes on contributors

David A. Cook

DAVID A. COOK, MD, MHPE, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Office of Education Research, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and consultant in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.