A Handbook of Data Collection Tools: Companion to "A Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy"

Practical advice for capturing and documenting influences and leverage in a Making Connections community. This guide provides clarification, concrete examples and suggested approaches for documentation of these often elusive concepts.

This handbook of data collection tools is intended to serve as a companion to A Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy. Organizational Research Services (ORS) developed this guide on behalf of the Annie E. Casey Foundation to support efforts to develop and implement an evaluation of advocacy and policy work. The companion handbook is dedicated to providing examples of practical tools and processes for collecting useful information from policy and advocacy efforts. It is available in both document form and as an online resource. Please see AECF.ORG, ORGANIZATIONALRESEARCH.COM and INNONET.ORG.

These examples are actual or modified tools used for evaluating existing campaigns or related efforts. We aimed to identify a wide range of data collection methods rather than rely primarily on traditional pre/post surveys and wide opinion polling. When possible, we included innovative applications of tools or methods to provide a broad range of options for grantees and funders.

We primarily identified sample tools to measure the core outcome areas related to social change or policy change. For each outcome area, you will find several data collection options as well as relevant methodological notes on ways to implement or adapt particular methods. In addition, we have included examples of tools and methods related to other types of evaluation design.

The companion guide on Measuring Advocacy and Policy is available on the Learning Portal here.