Assessing vital signs: applying two participatory evaluation frameworks to the evaluation of a college of nursing

Evaluation research has been in progress to clarify the concept of participatory evaluation and to assess its impact. Recently, two theoretical frameworks have been offered--Daigneault and Jacob's participatory evaluation measurement index and Champagne and Smits' model of practical participatory evaluation. In this case report, we apply these frameworks to test alignment with practitioner experience and to examine the degree to which they contribute to the understanding of the case. The context of the case report is an on-going program evaluation at a college of nursing believed to be an example of a successful participatory evaluation. Application of the participatory evaluation measurement index indicated the evaluation qualified as participatory at a minimal level historically and increased to a moderate level of participation after a re-design to involve an external evaluator. Ratings aligned with the intentional goals of evaluators. The model of practical participatory evaluation was found to be a good fit and descriptive of the case, although the planning and design processes may need to be added to the model. The exercise of applying the index and the P-PE model enlightened both evaluators and stakeholders concerning factors that contributed to the successful partnership and outcomes of the evaluation.