Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Evidence: What It Is and Where to Find It How evidence helps you select an effective intervention

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Learning Objectives By the end of the module, you will be able to: Describe evidence-based interventions Identify the approved sources of evidence Find evidence for your intervention Assess the utility of evidence you have located

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Module Overview What is evidence? What are evidence-based interventions? What are sources of evidence? What are the criteria for assessing evidence?

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Theory of Change Elements Community Need Specific Intervention Intended Outcome Evidence Guides choice of intervention Supports cause-effect relationship Evidence Guides choice of intervention Supports cause-effect relationship Statistics documenting the need

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Evidence-Based Intervention Service activities that are supported by research to demonstrate a high likelihood that these activities will address the need, and result in intended changes. Evidence demonstrates that the proposed intervention (design, dosage) is likely to lead to the outcome. (X Y)

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Everyday Life Example of a Theory of Change But which antibiotic(s) fights strep the best? Look at evidence to make the choice. I have strep throat (problem / need). I take antibiotics (intervention) I will be healthy (outcome)

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It EVIDENCE: Information that supports your choice of a specific intervention and its ability to produce your intended outcome. It is NOT enough to just say we believe our intervention is likely to be successful. You need to justify your choice with evidence. Evidence

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Lessons from the Evidence Evidence provides a reality check for theory of change elements. For new programs: What is the recommended design and dosage (frequency, intensity, and duration) needed to achieve an intended outcome? For existing programs: Is there sufficient evidence for the intervention to continue its use? Based on the evidence, are there modifications to the intervention that should be considered to have greater impact? Do you need to choose a new intervention?

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Sources of Evidence EVIDENCE Research Studies Impact Evaluations Your Impact Evaluation Your PM Results

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Evidence Source: Your Performance Measurement Data Past performance measurement outcome data: What do your past performance measurement results tell you? Can you show positive outcomes over time? Your PM Results

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Evidence Source: Your Program Evaluation Results from your program evaluation: Is it an impact evaluation? Does it document change? Does it clearly show that your intervention is what caused the change? Your Impact Evaluation

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It EVIDENCE Research Studies Impact Evaluations Your Impact Evaluation Your PM Results Sources of Evidence

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Assessing Evidence Criteria include: Relevant: Cites comparable intervention with similar beneficiaries and results Compelling: Persuasive, shows clear likelihood of success Up-to-date: Recently published or most recent available Objective: Source with no stake in outcome and published in a peer reviewed journal or by a credible organization Research Studies Impact Evaluations

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It University or research organizations (national or local) Known professionals/ experts in the field Similar sounding programs/ descriptions Articles that review multiple studies Evidence Sources

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Web Search for Evidence Google Scholar is one web search tool that helps narrow the search for your keywords to professional journals Tip: Use quotation marks around key terms - helps narrow the number of search results

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Search Result Questions Is the article: Relevant? Compelling? Up-to-date? Objective?

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Preliminary: Outcome results from performance measurement Doesnt show causality Moderate: Results from studies/evaluations using quasi- experimental design, i.e. comparison groups Shows causality Strong: Results from studies/evaluations using experimental design, i.e. control groups Strongest way to show causality CNCS Evidence Continuum

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It CNCS Evidence Continuum PreliminaryModerateStrong Performance measurement shows that 75% of girls age participating in the Shape Up program made more healthy food choices A 2005 impact evaluation by internal evaluators (using a quasi- experimental design of girls participating in a similar program to Shape Up) found that after 12 weeks, the girls in the program made 50% more healthy food choices than the comparison group. A 2010 impact evaluation of the GEMS program by University of MN using experimental design/random assignment found after 12 weeks, the girls in the experimental group made 50% more healthy food choices than control group girls

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Key Points Summary The term evidence-based intervention describes service activities that are supported by research to indicate a high likelihood that the intervention will address the need and result in intended outcomes. Evidence is information or documentation that a specific intervention (design and dosage) will produce your intended outcome.

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Key Points Summary The four sources of evidence include: Past performance measurement data Results from a program evaluation Research studies that document the outcomes of similar programs Evaluations that document outcomes of similar programs When assessing evidence, check to be sure it is relevant, compelling, up-to-date, and objective. The strongest evidence clearly proves that the intervention caused the positive change by using an experimental design.

Evidence: What It Is And Where To Find It Resources CNCS Priorities and Performance Measures: Program-Specific Notices of Funding Opportunities and Application Instructions: Additional Resources