Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs) are high-level questions that guide an evaluation’s focus and structure. They help define what the evaluation aims to achieve, ensuring that the process remains targeted and relevant. KEQs are not individual survey or interview questions but overarching queries that align with the evaluation’s purpose. They serve as the foundation for developing specific data collection tools and methods.
Importance of KEQs #
KEQs are essential because they clarify the scope of the evaluation and ensure that all stakeholders share a common understanding of the evaluation’s objectives. Well-formulated KEQs help evaluators prioritize data collection, streamline analysis, and present findings in a coherent manner.
Types of Key Evaluation Questions #
- Relevance Questions – They focus on whether the intervention addresses a real need.
- Example: How well does the program meet the needs of the target population?
- Effectiveness Questions – They assess whether the program achieved its intended outcomes.
- Example: To what extent were the program’s objectives met?
- Efficiency Questions – They evaluate resource use and cost-effectiveness.
- Example: Were resources used efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes?
- Sustainability Questions – They explore the long-term impact and viability of the intervention.
- Example: How likely are the program’s results to be sustained over time?
Well-defined KEQs are crucial for framing an evaluation and ensuring it provides meaningful, actionable insights that support decision-making and improvement.
List of recommended resources #
For a broad overview #
Evaluation methodological approach
This resource page by Capacity4dev, European Union, provides a guide on how to identify appropriate or key questions for evaluation, focusing on evaluation of key questions, preparing evaluation questions as well as giving examples.
Evaluation Questions: A Guide to Designing Effective Evaluation Questions
This article by EvalCommunity gives a brief on evaluation questions in the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) process. It explains how one develops key questions for evaluation, the different types of evaluation questions, as well as how to analyse the results of the evaluation questions.
For in-depth understanding #
Chapter 2 of this book by Arlene Fink – Evaluation Questions and Standards of Effectiveness – focuses on how evaluators use evaluation questions to guide them in gathering and analyzing data on the characteristics and merits of programs.
Program Evaluation: Forms and approaches
This book by John M. Owen provides a thorough understanding of the evaluation process giving a conceptual yet straightforward and practical overview of the process for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Chapter 5 focuses specifically on evaluation questions and evaluation design.
Case study #
3 Steps for Developing Key Evaluation Questions
This tip sheet by switchboard first discusses key evaluation questions or KEQs used in an evaluation project and then provides three case studies for better understanding of the topic.
Evaluation of the Health Care Homes trial Volume 1: Summary report
This summary report for the evaluation of the Australian Health Care Homes Trial (HCH trial describes the trial, presents key findings and presents key lessons for primary health care reform in Australia. Figure 1 of this report illustrates the key evaluation questions used in the HCH evaluation plan.
References #
Construct key evaluation questions against criteria of merit
