Which of the following is listed as a design for evaluation?

• A. Inventory approach.
• B. Consumer survey approach.
• C. Ethnographic study.
• D. Delphi method.

Answer: (A)

Cataloging what exists is a foundational step in evaluation design. The inventory approach involves creating a comprehensive list of current resources, services, policies, and activities related to the program. This provides a clear baseline, helps identify gaps and redundancies, and shows capacity and constraints. With a solid inventory, you can plan what to measure, interpret findings in context, and determine where improvements are needed, making it the most practical design for evaluating the existing setup.

A consumer survey approach centers on gathering feedback from the people served to understand their experiences and outcomes, which is valuable but not about mapping the program’s components. An ethnographic study delves into culture and everyday practices to gain deep contextual understanding, which is excellent for formative insights but not primarily used for inventorying resources. The Delphi method gathers expert opinions to reach consensus on priorities or forecasts, again more about judgment and planning than cataloging current assets.