Section 2: Developing/Assessing Logic Models

The Next Step

Once the evaluator has completed a logic model, it will be important to make some decisions that were also part of the evaluability assessment described in Section 1. Some of these questions are listed below (Burt, 1997).

• Is the diagram logical? Are the linkages reasonable based on an assessment of program resources and the results of past studies?
• What kinds of data need to be collected, and from how many people?
• Are the activities (including intensity and dose) specified in the logic model reasonable given the resources of the program?
• How extensive should program guidelines and training be based on program activities?

The logic model gives the evaluator another chance to determine whether it is appropriate to proceed with an impact evaluation. Negative answers to any of the above questions may indicate that one should first address the issues being raised before moving forward with the evaluation. Even if an impact evaluation is not possible at the present time, one may find that a process evaluation, the topic of the next section, will be very helpful.

Some Final Thoughts

In this section, an overview of logic model development has been provided. This model can be used in the initial stages of planning a program. It can also guide development of a program evaluation plan. This section has provided an overview of the logic-model development process. After a well-articulated model has been developed, around which there is good consensus among program stakeholders, this model can be used to guide the evaluation plan. The following sections describe evaluation design, measurement strategies, and other issues that will indicate how the logic model is to be used to assist the evaluator in planning and implementing a program evaluation.