Which statement best describes formative evaluation?

• A. It collects data during development and implementation.
• B. It collects data only after the program ends.
• C. It collects data during the developmental, implementational, or operational stage.
• D. It replaces ongoing data collection with retrospective reports.

Answer: (C)

Formative evaluation is about gathering information to improve a program as it is being developed and used, rather than judging its success after it’s finished. The best statement captures this ongoing, lifecycle-wide feedback by noting that data are collected during the developmental, implementational, or operational stage. This allows designers and implementers to adjust design, delivery, and processes while the program is still evolving, which is the essence of formative work.

Data gathered only during development and implementation misses the chance to refine during ongoing operation, making it less accurate for continuous improvement. Collecting data only after the program ends describes summative evaluation, which is about final outcomes rather than ongoing improvement. Replacing ongoing data collection with retrospective reports ignores the need for timely feedback and ongoing adjustments.