There are several different ways to approach evaluating a partnership or specific activity. Not all of these will be applicable in every case. When considering what and how to evaluate it is important to be realistic about what can be achieved and be clear what you would like to measure. For example:

 

• Have the school pupils learnt what you wanted them too?
• Do pupils or teachers have a better understanding of what academic research is?
• Have you changed pupils’ perception of their own education in the relevant subject?
• Have you changed the number of pupils considering coming to university?
• Will teachers or researchers change their practice as a result of engaging with your activity?
• Have you inspired teachers to further their own academic careers or researchers’ direction of enquiry?
• Does the engagement work you have done deliver towards institutional requirements or charters? See the Institutional Requirements and Charters section.

 

Ethics: It is important to be aware that evaluation activities that include focus groups or questionnaires, particularly when pupils are involved, may require ethics approval. This could include the need for parental consent and the anonymity of participants.