Tests and assessments are usually tools that have already been developed for particular purposes. Tests can include physical assessments, knowledge or achievement tests, psychological tests, and attitudinal assessments. Tests and assessments might be included as part of written surveys, questionnaires, or interviews. Observations of program activities are often used to understand the program context. Observational techniques can also be used to collect some forms of outcome data.
Focus groups involve asking a series of predetermined questions to a group of people.
People are encouraged to provide their opinions, but not necessarily to reach consensus. Focus groups can be used in a variety of ways in evaluation. Case studies involve collecting in-depth information about a few selected participants. Some evaluators also do case studies of programs. Case files often contain a wealth of information about program participants that can be useful in the evaluation.