Best evaluation practices and approaches for children Ages 9-13

When I was searching on an unrelated topic, I stumbled across this great resource from the Preteen Alliance and ETR Associates examining best practices and approaches for collecting data and information from children ages 9-13, the age group served by many mentoring programs. Even beyond evaluation, it has a wealth of good information on how to communicate effectively and get the highest quality information from kids in order to inform program practice.

This resource provides a practitioner-oriented summary of research on eight common methods and their various advantages and drawbacks including diaries, in-person interviews, focus groups, telephone interviews, computer-based surveys, written surveys, handhelds/PDAs and observational techniques. There are examples given throughout on how to word questions and structure response options for children at various developmental stages between 9-13 years old.

Summary Report: Collecting Data from Children Ages 9-13, Darin Coyle, Lisa Russell, John Shields & Brandi Tanaka (2007) ETR Associates & the Preteen Alliance for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health.

Website: http://www.lpfch.org/programs/preteens/etr.html
Link to PDF: http://www.lpfch.org/programs/preteens/etrsummaryreport.pdf