Communicating Impact by Using Qualitative and Quantitative Information Appropriately Kristina Boone

Why Communicate? Accountability Return on Investment Awareness of programs Understanding of organization

Communicate to Whom? Stakeholders – internal and external Decision makers Civic groups Potential partners Support groups

Why is communication a challenge? Competition for attention Demand for brief, understandable information Newness, complexity Narrow window for attention Need focus on impact –Difference or potential difference we are making in lives of real people

Using Data to Tell Stories Structure the story –Context –Data –Meaning – close the loop So what? Who cares? Remember that data are the tool

Quantitative Data Tell us –How pervasive or generalizable something is –About reach or potential reach –How much, who and what (to some extent) May not tell us –Personal story –Richness of experience Works well with familiar audiences Usually faster Derived from surveys, census, counting; numeric

Qualitative Data Tell us –About anecdotes –Insight into experience –Why or how –The Social context of decisions Does not tell us –How frequently or pervasive something is Better with marginalized pops Usually slower

Example K-State Research and Extension agents have helped an estimated 400,000 Medicare-eligible people to make informed health insurance decisions. They estimate an average savings per person to be $1,000 or more per year on medications and/or premiums.

Example 78-year-old Betty Piester drives 25 miles twice a week to the K-State Research and Extension office in Pratt County. Her goal: Pump some iron. She joined the Strong Woman program in mid-2005 and says it spared her a trip to a surgeon’s operating table. “My doctor is pleased with the improvements in my knee, overall health and increased bone mass,” she said. “I am also pleased with the results, because my knees don’t hurt.”

Your turn! Develop a story using your data!