Developing an Evaluation Capacity Building Network in the Field of Early Childhood Development

Abstract

This reflective essay traces the development of an evaluation capacity building network within the early childhood development field. First, we describe the context for building the network using a community-based participatory approach and provide rationale for our specific focus on early childhood development. Second, we provide an explanation of the purpose and processes involved in three areas of significant engagement: partner, stakeholder, and student. We reflect on the methods of engagement used across these three areas and their impact on the outcomes that we achieved. Finally, we conclude the paper with some final considerations for guiding engaged scholars and with the next steps in our own work.

Toward an Evidence-Based Approach to Building Evaluation Capacity

“…Th e field of early child hood development is interdisciplinary and intersectoral but shares the same goal of improving children's health and well-being. To respond more systematically to these needs, the Evaluation Capacity Network was developed with support from a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Development Grant in 2014 (see Gokiert et al, 2017 ). Th e diversity (e.g., focus, workplace size, and evaluation resources) of the organizations in volved in the network necessitated a way to assess strengths and gaps in EC in order to generate comprehensive understandings and inform an evidence-based approach for addressing EC needs.…”

Evaluation in the field of early childhood development: A scoping review

“…The Evaluation Capacity Network (ECN) at the University of Alberta formed in 2014 in response to the evaluation capacity needs of the early childhood sector within Alberta (Gokiert et al, 2017a) and has since broadened nationally and internationally in scope. As an interdisciplinary and intersectoral partnership, the ECN seeks to build evaluation capacity in the ECD field through engagement with early childhood stakeholders and a broader network of practitioners, researchers, funders, and evaluators.…”