What are the best practices for collecting and analyzing data in peer support evaluation?

1 Define your goals and indicators

Before you start collecting data, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to measure and why. What are the goals and objectives of your peer support program? What are the expected outcomes and impacts for the peer supporters and the peers they serve? How will you know if you have achieved them? These questions will help you define your indicators, which are the specific and measurable aspects of your program that you will track and evaluate. For example, an indicator could be the number of peers who report increased self-esteem, social support, or coping skills after participating in peer support.

2 Choose your methods and tools

Once you have your indicators, you need to decide how you will collect and record the data. There are different methods and tools that you can use, depending on your resources, preferences, and ethical considerations. Some of the common methods are surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, case studies, and testimonials. Some of the common tools are questionnaires, scales, checklists, forms, diaries, and stories. You should choose the methods and tools that are suitable for your context, that are reliable and valid, and that respect the privacy and dignity of the participants.

3 Involve the stakeholders

One of the key principles of peer support evaluation is to involve the stakeholders, especially the peer supporters and the peers they serve, in the design, implementation, and analysis of the evaluation. This will ensure that the evaluation is relevant, meaningful, and respectful to their needs, perspectives, and experiences. It will also increase their ownership, engagement, and trust in the evaluation process and results. You can involve the stakeholders by consulting them, inviting them to join the evaluation team, or training them to conduct the evaluation themselves.

4 Analyze and interpret the data

After you have collected the data, you need to analyze and interpret them to draw conclusions and recommendations. There are different ways to analyze and interpret the data, depending on the type, quantity, and quality of the data. For quantitative data, such as numbers and scores, you can use statistical techniques, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, or trend analysis. For qualitative data, such as words and stories, you can use thematic analysis, content analysis, or narrative analysis. You should use the analysis methods that are appropriate for your data and indicators, and that can answer your evaluation questions.

5 Report and share the results

The final step of the evaluation is to report and share the results with the relevant audiences, such as the funders, the managers, the peer supporters, the peers, and the public. You should prepare a report that summarizes the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the evaluation, using clear and concise language, visual aids, and examples. You should also share the report in a format and a channel that are accessible and engaging to the audiences, such as a presentation, a newsletter, a website, or a social media post. You should also invite feedback and suggestions from the audiences, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?