Having a clear understanding of what it is you want to know, what you are trying to determine through the evaluation, is essential - this gives rise to the why evaluate.

Common reasons are:

• -Ensuring/maintaining/improving performance of Magistrates.
• -Inform future Area plans.
• -Knowing resources are being used effectively/efficiently.
• -Establish cost effectiveness.
• -Demonstrate improvements.
• -Self-assess training against the Framework of Standards.

These reasons can be categorised into 4 main areas:

• -Validation - This will give you information on any aspect of the event, from the venue to the trainer (Validation is concerned with checking any aspect of the event. Whereas Evaluation is about judging the value of the event).
  Validation can be assessed by using:
  Questionnaires | Interviews | Focus Groups | Observations
• -Were objectives met? - This will establish if the knowledge/skills has been imparted.
  Objectives can be assessed by using:
  Questionnaires | Interviews | Focus Groups | Observations
• -Learning - What have Magistrates learned? Can this be applied effectively in the Court environment?
  Learning can be assessed by using:
  Questionnaires | Interviews | Focus Groups
• -Impact - Has the long term change that the training was intended to contribute to, been achieved?
  Impact can be assessed by using:
  Questionnaires | Interviews | Focus Groups

A key function of MATCs and BTDCs is to monitor and evaluate the implementation of their Area Training Plans. Good practice guidance for MATCs and Good practice guidance for BTDCs refers.