1. Measurement Tools ENACTUS TRAINING Quality of Life
Developed by D Caspersz & D Bejr, 2013

2. Quality of Life is…
Intangible variables regarding human welfare or well-being as measured by social indicators. This includes (but is not limited to) factors such as:
- self-esteem
- overall satisfaction of life
- working conditions
- ability to care for one’s family
- hope in life
- acceptance in community, neighborhood and/or work environment

3. But how do you measure this?
Use one of the many tools available to measure the OUTCOMES of the variable (in this case, quality of life)

4. Variables
Inputs are resources dedicated to or consumed by the program. Examples include but not limited to: money, students, time, volunteers, facilities, equipment and supplies.
Outputs are the direct product of program activities and usually are measured in terms of the volume of work accomplished. Examples include:
The number of classes taught;
counseling sessions conducted;
educational materials distributed;
and participants served.
Outcomes are benefits or changes for individuals or populations during or after participating in program activities. They are influenced by a program’s outputs. Outcomes may relate to behavior, skills, knowledge, attitudes, values, condition, status, or other attributes. They are often illustrated by what the participants know, think, or can do; or how they behave; or what their condition is as a direct result of the program/project.

5. Participant Observation
Oldest and easiest methods to evaluate a change
How? The easiest is pre and post observation.
Note the old outcome (eg the behaviour, skills or knowledge) on a predetermined measurement scale before the project commences to establish a baseline
Note the new outcome (on the same scale as before) after the project
Compare the before and after outcomes to see if there is a difference, which may be positive or negative

6. Participant Observation – An Example
Outcome to be measured: empowerment of confidence Predetermined scale: how many times participant offers ideas in discussions
Pre-project observation – participant offers no ideas in discussions
Post-project observation – participant offers 2 ideas (average) in discussions
Difference of +2 ideas in discussions – a positive change in confidence

7. Tools for Measuring Outcomes
These may include, but are not limited to:
Observation
Surveys
Discussions
Semi-structured interviews
Focus groups
Video evidence
Third party reports (ie carers, guardians, teachers etc)
Assessments
Completion of tasks

8. Quantity
The more times you can show a difference in outcomes, the better quality your results are, as you have shown it is not a one off.
Different tools can be used to collect more results – pair a survey with a focus group, or video evidence with a third party report.

9. Formal Tools for Measuring Quality of Life
Positive Psychology Questionnaires:
Flanagan Quality of Life Scale, Table 1,
Rosenburg Self-esteem Scale: