---
title: FAQ | Principles-Focused Evaluation
description: This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document explores 15 questions about principles-focused evaluation
image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/FAQ%20%7C%20Principles-Focused%20Evaluation.png
---

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# Resource Library

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# FAQ | Principles-Focused Evaluation

[Evaluating Community Impact](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/evaluating-community-impact), [Evaluation](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/evaluation), [Mark Cabaj](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/mark-cabaj), [FAQ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/faq)

FAQ | This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document explores 15 questions about principles-focused evaluation raised through the webinars and masterclasses held by Tamarack, featuring Michael Quinn Patton and Mark Cabaj. The document focuses on common questions and thoughts not reflected in Michael's book, *Principles-Focused Evaluation, *which explores how people, organizations and networks can design and evaluate their efforts to tackle tough social, economic and environmental challenges using principles rather than elaborate plans or strategies

 For the sake of convenience, the questions are organized in five sections.

- The Niche for Principles-Focused Evaluation
- Crafting Principles
- Evaluating Principles
- Communicating Results
- Getting Started

 

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![Mark Cabaj](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Mark%20Cabaj.jpg)

### By [Mark Cabaj](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/author/mark-cabaj)

Mark is President of the consulting company From Here to There and an Associate of Tamarack. Mark has first-hand knowledge of using evaluation as a policy maker, philanthropist, and activist, and has played a big role in promoting the merging practice of developmental evaluation in Canada. Mark is currently focused on how diverse organizations and communities work together to tackle complex issues, on social innovation as a "sub-scene" of community change work, and on strategic learning and evaluation.

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