Below are answers to frequently asked question about
instruments in OERL. Also see the
user scenarios for instruments
as well as answers to more general
questions about OERL.
| Question |
Answer |
|
What are evaluation instruments?
|
Data collection instruments provide information to
address the evaluation questions. Instruments can be
used to gather multiple types of evidence to document
project accomplishments and challenges.
|
|
What criteria were used in selecting evaluation
instruments?
|
OERL presents examples of EHR project evaluation
instruments that reflect current best
practices. Criteria for judging the quality of
evaluation instruments are based on
Program Evaluation Standards: 2nd
Edition,
which represents consensus in the evaluation
profession. The quality
criteria for instruments summarizes the key
characteristics relevant to EHR project evaluations,
including Design, Technical Qualities,
and Use & Utility of instruments. In
addition, the criteria have been cross-referenced to
other widely used evaluation texts and training
materials.
|
|
How can the resources for evaluation instruments be
used?
|
The OERL resources for data collection instruments
can be used as follows: (1) the
alignment table,
quality criteria, and
glossary can serve as
references for project PIs and evaluators to check
that their data collection strategies align with the
standards recognized in the field; (2) questions and
approaches used in the instruments can be used as is
or adapted to fit into the design of new instruments; and (3) the
user scenarios can be consulted for
instruments.
|
|
What is in the glossary of instrument
characteristics?
|
The glossary of instrument
characteristics presents definitions of key
characteristics of effective project evaluation
instruments created for EHR projects.
|
|
What is the alignment table for instrument
characteristics?
|
The alignment table
for instrument characteristics describes each
instrument characteristic is (the glossary), the
features that make it sound (the quality criteria),
and which standards should be met that are aligned to
it. These standards are based on the
Program Evaluation Standards: 2nd
Edition and other publications that elaborate
evaluation design and methodologies in greater
depth.
|
