Building a Fractal Evaluation: A Study on Improving Skills and Attitudes towards Evaluation Through a Design Similar to Program Pedagogy

Abstract

This thesis is a study on using an evaluation model that mimics the educational pedagogy of an organization as an approach to evaluation capacity building. Referred to as a fractal evaluation, this model of using a "self-similar"� approach to learning in an organization sought to improve in staff both their skills in and attitudes around evaluation, or their Evaluation Assets. After the implementation of this model in the education department of a small science museum, interviews and surveys were conducted with staff to determine the effectiveness of using this approach to improve their attitudes and mindsets around the practice of evaluation. The results of the study suggest that staff attitudes and interest in the topic both improved notably along with an expressed increase in staff investment in the process and desire for ongoing learning about program evaluation.