Data intervals

“Data Intervals” is a term describing when and how often you will collect data. You may prefer to just think of this as “timing” or “time plans.”

Specific intervals: When designing data collection intervals, think about what is reasonable given staff and budget inputs, in order to measure your outcomes.

Outcome information can be collected at specific intervals to show changes over time (for example, quarterly, every 6 months, once a semester) or at the start of program and end of program.

Increases: When increases in skill, behavior or knowledge are the outcome, collect data at program start and end to give the longest time for the change to occur as a result of your program.  Data collected about outcomes early in the program is often called “baseline data.”

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