5.7        Gathering evidence

1          You will have four basic sets of evidence:

·          Faculty self-evaluation

·          Documents at the visit site

·          Your observations (for example, of classrooms)

·          Interviews you conduct on site

2          Read the self-evaluation thoroughly before coming to the visit.  Begin to make two sets of notes:

·            Questions to pursue at the visit

·            Notes of information for the team report

3          Read the standards frequently:

·            Before you read the self-evaluation and as you read it

·            Before the first team meeting

·            At the end of each day

·            Each time you begin to write material for the team report

4          On the first round of visits to all faculties, focus on the INPUT and PROCESS standards, with some preview of the OUTPUT standards.

5          Keep revising your questions as you gather new information.

6          Think in terms of tentative hypotheses about how a program meets the standards.  Refine them as the visit proceeds.

7          Ask other team members to help gather evidence.

8          Similarly, take notes for other team members and share information with them related to the standards.

9          Keep notes.  Write as you read documents and as you interview.

10      Label your sources to help your memory.