Guest Post: An Evaluation of AuthorAID (Part 1)

[Note: Recently consultant Teresa Hanley evaluated the first 3 years of AuthorAID. In guest posts this week and next, Teresa presents highlights of the evaluation. Thank you, Teresa! –Barbara]

Thank you to everyone who took part in the evaluation of AuthorAID through surveys and interviews. It was extremely valuable to hear your experiences as users of the AuthorAID website, as attendees and facilitators at the workshops, and as participants in mentoring relationships.

I found a very positive evaluation of this website. More than 80% of respondents said they find the AuthorAID website easy to use, relevant, and useful. Also, respondents gave examples of how the website has helped in their work.

The website has exceeded the goals set for it. During the pilot phase (2007–2009), more than 1250 people registered as members. And the AuthorAID site received more than 29,000 visits—from people in 186 countries.

The participants in the 7 AuthorAID workshops held so far were also overwhelmingly positive. They identified benefits to their writing skills, and they mentioned increased confidence in engaging with the publication process.

Indeed, a number of workshop attendees reported publication success. They attributed it at least in part to the learning from the AuthorAID workshops.

I was pleased to hear that many participants and co-facilitators have shared the learning from these workshops with colleagues or others, making for a “multiplier effect”.

One suggestion is to widen access to the workshops via the Internet, including by addition of new learning resources online. Another suggestion is to develop a network of AuthorAID workshop facilitators.

For more highlights of the evaluation, please look for the next blog post. Thanks!