The company you keep: Networks in a community of informal education evaluators

• Published in: Studies in educational evaluation Vol. 51; pp. 7 - 16
• Main Authors: Khalil, Kathayoon A., Ardoin, Nicole M., Wojcik, Deborah J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Community of practice; Evaluation; Network analysis; Zoo/aquarium education; CEC; EE; Evaluation; CoP; Network analysis; SNA; AZA; Zoo/aquarium education; Community of practice
• ISSN: 0191-491X; 1879-2529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2016.08.006

•Uses a mixed-methods approach to understand relationships among members of a networked community around evaluation.•Looks at a geographically dispersed and diverse community of evaluation practitioners.•Investigates inter-organizational collaboration and its effect on program evaluation. We investigate the relationship between characteristics of a professional network and members’ evaluation-related learning, applying the “communities of practice” framework to understand social dynamics and information flows. We focus on members of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA)’s Conservation Education Committee. These professionals collaborate to design, execute, and evaluate programs. Individuals (n=35) completed a survey and participated in semi-structured interviews, allowing us to explore relationships, identify factors influencing communication, and better understand members’ approaches to program evaluation. We found that connections were made based on general expertise and reputation rather than individual subject knowledge. The combination of network and qualitative data reveal where information is being isolated and suggest strategies for more effective dissemination of evaluation-related knowledge and practice.