The Effective Evaluation of STEM Outreach project started with a survey to assess the need for evaluation support and training for HE STEM practitioners. This survey was used to inform the development of the core project course materials - Getting Started: A Beginner's Guide to Evaluation and Making use of your evaluation: Informing practice and evidencing impact.

161 people responded to the survey with a good spread across subject disciplines and types and locations of institution. A full survey report can be downloaded below but in summary: 

• A wide range of outreach activities is currently provided, and the scope of information about evaluation methodologies needs to accommodate this range
• A significant proportion of practitioners already undertake evaluation
• The two main purposes of the evaluation currently undertaken (for improvement and for impact) are consistent with the planned twin foci of the training programmes to be developed
• Attitudes towards evaluation are generally very positive
• There is significant interest in training in evaluation
• On-line resources would be the most popular way of accessing this support
• Workshops would also be a preferred method for two thirds of respondents
• Current on-line resources for evaluation provided through the National HE STEM Programme website appear to be under-used
• There are no major differences in responses between the different subject disciplines
• Those not interested in receiving further support show a less positive attitude towards evaluation

Download the full survey report here: