Evaluation and Assessment

Through the duration of the project, every aspect of the research will be continually evaluated by the entire group to suggest improvements to ensure that the goals of the project are obtained. This can be achieved by reconstituting the ST and SAGs, and retooling the objectives and methods. This continual evaluation process will be integral to this project. Internal evaluation by the project team, and external evaluation by the Advisory Committee and an Oversight Committee (with members to be appointed by NSF/CUAHSI) will be conducted.

Internal evaluation will focus upon:

  1. assessment of project performance
  2. assessment of the process and synthesis methods
  3. assessment of cyberinfrastructure requirements for project support

NCSA involvement in this project, through their support of the cyberinfrastructure, is an essential part of the continual evaluative process. The cyberinfrastructure will allow the maintenance of provenance information, so that everyone can retrace their thought processes and assess alternative ideas as the project progresses.

External evaluation by the Advisory Committee and the Oversight Committee will be provided by assessment of annual reports compiled by the project team, and through site visits. The external evaluation will focus upon:

  1. evaluation of the synthesis process and outcomes
  2. assessment of the effectiveness of collaborative relationships
  3. assessment of the value of research outcomes and products to the wider scientific community
  4. recommendations for improving all aspects of the synthesis process, based on their annual review

Overall evaluation processes will assist in assessing feasibility and desirability of:

  1. expanding range of synthesis activities to include additional synthesis projects
  2. continuing operations to maintain momentum
  3. coordinating with national and international scientific groups and centers
  4. providing direction for future science programs and infrastructure development
  5. contribution to research and outreach activities
  6. providing contributions to the advancement of hydrologic science and the scientific basis of water management
  7. assisting with continuation of these activities in the future