IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/epplan/v80y2020ics014971891930357x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Context matters: Using mixed methods timelines to provide an accessible and integrated visual for complex program evaluation data

Author

Listed:
  • Newton-Levinson, Anna
  • Higdon, Megan
  • Sales, Jessica
  • Gaydos, Laurie
  • Rochat, Roger

Abstract

The need for conducting evaluations which reflect of the influence of context on complex programs is increasingly recognized in the field of evaluation. Better data visualization techniques for connecting context with program evaluation data are needed. We share our experience developing a mixed methods timeline to visualize complexity and context with evaluation data. Mixed methods timelines provide a meaningful way to show change over time in both a visually stimulating and accessible format for evaluation audiences. This paper provides an innovative example of using mixed methods timelines to integrate evaluation data with key program activities and milestones, while also showing internal and external contextual influences in one cohesive visual. We present methods and best practices for collecting contextual data and for incorporating a variety of data sources into such a visual. We discuss several strategies to collect and organize context related data including: qualitative interviews, program materials, narrative reports, and member checking with stakeholders and staff. Gathering multiple perspectives is essential to better capture the multi-layered elements of program activities and context.

Suggested Citation

  • Newton-Levinson, Anna & Higdon, Megan & Sales, Jessica & Gaydos, Laurie & Rochat, Roger, 2020. "Context matters: Using mixed methods timelines to provide an accessible and integrated visual for complex program evaluation data," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:80:y:2020:i:c:s014971891930357x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2020.101784
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014971891930357X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2020.101784?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Resnicow, K. & Page, S.E., 2008. "Embracing chaos and complexity: A quantum change for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(8), pages 1382-1389.
    2. Renger, Ralph & Foltysova, Jirina & Becker, Karin L. & Souvannasacd, Eric, 2015. "The power of the context map: Designing realistic outcome evaluation strategies and other unanticipated benefits," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 118-125.
    3. Ebenso, Bassey & Manzano, Ana & Uzochukwu, Benjamin & Etiaba, Enyi & Huss, Reinhard & Ensor, Tim & Newell, James & Onwujekwe, Obinna & Ezumah, Nkoli & Hicks, Joe & Mirzoev, Tolib, 2019. "Dealing with context in logic model development: Reflections from a realist evaluation of a community health worker programme in Nigeria," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 97-110.
    4. Roux, A.V.D., 2011. "Complex systems thinking and current impasses in health disparities research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(9), pages 1627-1634.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bolte, Gabriele, 2018. "Epidemiologische Methoden und Erkenntnisse als eine Grundlage für Stadtplanung und gesundheitsfördernde Stadtentwicklung," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Baumgart, Sabine & Köckler, Heike & Ritzinger, Anne & Rüdiger, Andrea (ed.), Planung für gesundheitsfördernde Städte, volume 8, pages 118-134, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    2. McGill, Elizabeth & Er, Vanessa & Penney, Tarra & Egan, Matt & White, Martin & Meier, Petra & Whitehead, Margaret & Lock, Karen & Anderson de Cuevas, Rachel & Smith, Richard & Savona, Natalie & Rutter, 2021. "Evaluation of public health interventions from a complex systems perspective: A research methods review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Ebenso, Bassey & Manzano, Ana & Uzochukwu, Benjamin & Etiaba, Enyi & Huss, Reinhard & Ensor, Tim & Newell, James & Onwujekwe, Obinna & Ezumah, Nkoli & Hicks, Joe & Mirzoev, Tolib, 2019. "Dealing with context in logic model development: Reflections from a realist evaluation of a community health worker programme in Nigeria," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 97-110.
    4. Jason M. Orr & Jonathon P. Leider & Margaret J. Gutilla, 2023. "System approaches in governmental public health: Findings from an analysis of the literature," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 159-169, January.
    5. Kirillova, Ksenia & Lehto, Xinran, 2015. "An existential conceptualization of the vacation cycle," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 110-123.
    6. Andrew Joyce, 2024. "A Settings and Systems Approach to Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of People with an Intellectual Disability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-10, March.
    7. Fangyuan Chang & Andrea Eriksson & Britt Östlund, 2020. "Discrepancies between Expected and Actual Implementation: The Process Evaluation of PERS Integration in Nursing Homes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
    8. Reynolds, Joanna & Egan, Matt & Renedo, Alicia & Petticrew, Mark, 2015. "Conceptualising the ‘community’ as a recipient of money – A critical literature review, and implications for health and inequalities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 88-97.
    9. Nicole Abaid & James Macinko & Diana Silver & Maurizio Porfiri, 2015. "The Effect of Geography and Citizen Behavior on Motor Vehicle Deaths in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    10. Nisbett, Nicholas, 2019. "Understanding the nourishment of bodies at the centre of food and health systems – systemic, bodily and new materialist perspectives on nutritional inequity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 9-16.
    11. Boulange, Claire & Pettit, Chris & Gunn, Lucy Dubrelle & Giles-Corti, Billie & Badland, Hannah, 2018. "Improving planning analysis and decision making: The development and application of a Walkability Planning Support System," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 129-137.
    12. Stankov, Ivana & Useche, Andres Felipe & Meisel, Jose D. & Montes, Felipe & Morais, Lidia MO. & Friche, Amelia AL. & Langellier, Brent A. & Hovmand, Peter & Sarmiento, Olga Lucia & Hammond, Ross A. & , 2021. "From causal loop diagrams to future scenarios: Using the cross-impact balance method to augment understanding of urban health in Latin America," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    13. Daniel Vujcich & Meagan Roberts & Tyler Selway & Barbara Nattabi, 2023. "The Application of Systems Thinking to the Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmissible Infections among Adolescents and Adults: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-27, May.
    14. Ezumah, Nkoli & Manzano, Ana & Ezenwaka, Uchenna & Obi, Uche & Ensor, Tim & Etiaba, Enyi & Onwujekwe, Obinna & Ebenso, Bassey & Uzochukwu, Benjamin & Huss, Reinhard & Mirzoev, Tolib, 2022. "Role of trust in sustaining provision and uptake of maternal and child healthcare: Evidence from a national programme in Nigeria," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    15. Seohyun Lee & Abdul-jabiru Adam, 2021. "Designing a Logic Model for Mobile Maternal Health e-Voucher Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Interpretive Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-37, December.
    16. Cécile Knai & Mark Petticrew & Nick Douglas & Mary Alison Durand & Elizabeth Eastmure & Ellen Nolte & Nicholas Mays, 2018. "The Public Health Responsibility Deal: Using a Systems-Level Analysis to Understand the Lack of Impact on Alcohol, Food, Physical Activity, and Workplace Health Sub-Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, December.
    17. Tamara Al-Obaidi & Jason Prior & Erica McIntyre, 2022. "Conceptual Approaches of Health and Wellbeing at the Apartment Building Scale: A Review of Australian Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.
    18. Keshavarz, Nastaran & Nutbeam, Don & Rowling, Louise & Khavarpour, Freidoon, 2010. "Schools as social complex adaptive systems: A new way to understand the challenges of introducing the health promoting schools concept," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(10), pages 1467-1474, May.
    19. Gebreab, Samson Y. & Diez-Roux, Ana V. & Hickson, DeMarc A. & Boykin, Shawn & Sims, Mario & Sarpong, Daniel F. & Taylor, Herman A. & Wyatt, Sharon B., 2012. "The contribution of stress to the social patterning of clinical and subclinical CVD risk factors in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(9), pages 1697-1707.
    20. Braciszewski, Jordan M. & Tzilos Wernette, Golfo K. & Moore, Roland S. & Bock, Beth C. & Stout, Robert L. & Chamberlain, Patricia, 2018. "A pilot randomized controlled trial of a technology-based substance use intervention for youth exiting foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 466-476.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:80:y:2020:i:c:s014971891930357x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/evalprogplan .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.