Evaluation Methods:
Formative evaluations are conducted during program implementation for the purpose of providing information that will improve the program in question. Program aspects that are studied include how services are provided, how staff are recruited and trained, or how leadership and staff decisions are made.
While formative evaluations review the start of the program, summative evaluations review the whole program. Process evaluations fall in the middle and review the success of the processes used.
Formative evaluations are usually qualitative while summative evaluations are usually quantitative.