Photo by Muhammad Haikal Sjukri on Unsplash

The purpose of this site is to support the use of measurement and evaluation systems in order to maximize the public value of university public engagement activities.  University-based public engagement is defined many different ways.  For the purposes of this website,

Public engagement includes activities that put the knowledge resources of the university to work in the public interest outside of academic settings.

While the primary focus is on university public engagement, some of the content may be applicable for other public interest-driven organizations with a diverse portfolio of outreach and engagement activities.

Areas of focus

The site has two intersecting areas of focus that are referred to throughout the pages here.

• Portfolio-level measurement and evaluation, or the development and use of measurement and evaluation systems to enhance understanding and effectiveness of a portfolio of diverse programs within a common framework
• Program evaluation for public engagement programs, with an emphasis on effective evaluation suited to the contexts of university public engagement

Site page descriptions

Why Measure engagement?  Overview of how measurement and evaluation systems can enhance public engagement; introduction to this website.

How M&E can help–its uses. List of uses of program evaluation and portfolio M&E uses.

Identify Measurement and Evaluation Questions.   Identifying evaluation questions:  Fundamental questions, sample questions for each program evaluation and portfolio M&E use, and making sure that evaluation questions are tied to an intended use.

From intuition to evidence:  Expanding on existing program knowledge.  Discussion of possible pathways to expand existing knowledge about a program.

Program-defined outcomes and user centered value:  measuring value for “push” and “pull” programs. Discussion on measuring outcomes for different program models.

What to measure—categories.  Discussion mapping aspects of programs—activities, outcomes, outputs, inputs—to program evaluation and portfolio M&E uses.

What to measure—characteristics.  Discussion mapping information characteristics—quantitative, qualitative, consistent, comprehensive, validated—to program evaluation and portfolio M&E uses.

Tips for Public Engagement Measurement and Evaluation.  Takeaway points from this site.

Planning an M&E system.  Resource for developing a portfolio-level M&E system to provide a common information framework.

What type of evidence do you need?  Discussion mapping information certainty and types of evidence to program evaluation and portfolio M&E purposes.

Easy and hard ways to get data.  Why collecting data the easy way enhances information quality.

Choose the easiest type of data source.  Discussion of existing data sources, compilation, modification, and developing new data collection instruments.

Minimizing reporter burden.  Dimensions that may affect how reporters experience a portfolio M&E system.