Sample Evaluation Questions, Indicators and Data Sources for a Community-Based Physical Activity Program (Cont'd)

Running the Numbers

In this example, after choosing indicators to address each specific evaluation question and sources of data to measure each indicator, the next step is to establish goals for each indicator to measure the expected effects of the program ("performance indicators").

• For example, for question #1, "How many programs for strength training are offered to older adults in the community?" the performance indicator might be set at 10 programs after the first year of the program. The choice of 10 programs as the performance indicator might be based on factors such as potential number of program sites, availability of instructors, availability of funds, number of potential participants, etc.
• When the evaluation is conducted, the evaluation team can compare the actual number of programs established (5) during the first year to this performance goal of 10 programs.

EVALUATION QUESTION	INDICATORS	DATA SOURCES	PERFORMANCE INDICATOR	ACTUAL PERFORMANCE
How many programs for strength training are offered to older adults in the community?	Number of programs	Administrative records	10 sites	5 sites

• When the evaluation team interprets the results (Step Five) for question #1, they will make judgments about how well the program met this performance goal, and analyze why it did or did not meet it.
• Other issues will be considered in the interpretation of the results, such as:
  • Alternative explanations for the results
    Low participation due to unusually severe weather during the program months caused the cancellation of programs at several sites
  • Limitations of the evaluation
    Low representation on the evaluation team by Chinese-speaking stakeholders
  • Comparison with other indicators to answer the same question
    To get a more detailed understanding of how many programs are offered (Question #1), compare the overall number of programs with the number of sites, number of neighborhoods, number of classes per week offered and number of days per week offered (Question #2)