The importance of measuring outcomes is widely recognised. We need to know whether we are doing a good job, for our own professional satisfaction, to ensure we are meeting the needs of the clients, and to provide evidence to those who fund such services that they are getting good value.

Key themes related to Measuring Outcomes

This paper 'Measuring Outcomes' by Edwin Herr identifies six key sets of questions about measuring the outcomes of guidance.

Impact Analysis: a survey of the literature

This literature review is intended to help you make an informed judgement about whether or not to seek out the full texts for the items listed.

Theoretical Models of Impact Analysis

This section contains the results of a search for theoretical models on impact analysis conducted by the Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby. It provides abstracts of research into impact analysis on career education and guidance, as well as research on measuring of outcomes in other disciplines.

Discussions on what matters and what counts in guidance

Does guidance make a difference? How can we measure that? These questions generated a lively discussion among a group of practitioners, researchers and policy-makers into the reasons for undertaking impact analysis and the potential pitfalls. The consensus reached was that measuring outcomes is essential if improvements are to be made, with the proviso that any studies and data collected are used in meaningful ways.

What can be learned from other disciplines?

The guidance profession is not alone in having to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of its provision. This a common feature for all organisations providing services and this section explores two areas of potential comparison, the medical profession and research done by the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries. It provides access to a briefing which defines and compares impact analysis and evidence-based practice and to a discussion related to this.

Measuring impact: workshop at the University of Derby, 26 April 2005

At a workshop event on 26 April 2005 at the Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby, practitioners, researchers and managers came together to consider some of the key issues associated with assessing and measuring the impact of guidance.