Tracking & Evaluation Behavior Change Laurie Gustafson Community POWER Grantee Orientation October 4, 2011

What do we mean by behavior change? Help your audience make meaningful and long-lasting behavior changes. Community-based social marketing (CBSM) has been shown to be very effective at bringing about behavior change. Community POWER survey questions based on CBSM theory—turning awareness into action.

Why it’s Important to Track Behavior Change See the impact of your work and assess which programming is most successful. See the impact of your work and assess which programming is most successful. Allows SWMCB to see the impact of your work and encourages sustainability of the program. Allows SWMCB to see the impact of your work and encourages sustainability of the program. Gives you a tool for showing impact to others. Funders and programming partners often look for evidence that your initiatives are having the desired outcome. Gives you a tool for showing impact to others. Funders and programming partners often look for evidence that your initiatives are having the desired outcome.

Community POWER Final Report Final Reports: Due October 15, 2011 Describe how the surveys were administered Describe how the surveys were administered Report the number of surveys sent/administered Report the number of surveys sent/administered Report the number of surveys returned Report the number of surveys returned Detail the responses you received using actual numbers, not percentages Detail the responses you received using actual numbers, not percentages Report how many total individuals responded that they had positively changed at least one behavior due to the project? (e.g. marked a ‘yes’) Report how many total individuals responded that they had positively changed at least one behavior due to the project? (e.g. marked a ‘yes’) Share written comments Share written comments

Survey Questions: About the Questions Survey contains 19 questions Survey contains 19 questions Questions cover Reuse, Toxicity Reduction, Recycling, Reducing and Composting Questions cover Reuse, Toxicity Reduction, Recycling, Reducing and Composting Two part questions:  Behavior  Changed because of involvement in program

Survey Questions: Choosing the Right Questions to Ask Only those questions that relate to the content of what people learned through your Community POWER project should be used. Only those questions that relate to the content of what people learned through your Community POWER project should be used. If some of the questions do not relate to your project, remove those from your survey or questionnaire. If some of the questions do not relate to your project, remove those from your survey or questionnaire. Choose 4-8 questions for up to a one page survey. Do not use more than 10 questions. Choose 4-8 questions for up to a one page survey. Do not use more than 10 questions.

Survey Questions: When to Administer the Questions Pre-tests are optional Pre-tests are optional Post-tests are required Post-tests are required Administer surveys 2-6 months after a person participates in your program or educational experience Administer surveys 2-6 months after a person participates in your program or educational experience

Survey Questions: Customizing the Questions & Survey The wording of the questions should not be altered. The wording of the questions should not be altered. Logos and the name of your program, project, or workshop can be inserted throughout the survey. Logos and the name of your program, project, or workshop can be inserted throughout the survey. You may insert Community POWER questions into an existing survey or pair them with other questions you design. We do not recommend asking more than 10 total questions in one survey. You may insert Community POWER questions into an existing survey or pair them with other questions you design. We do not recommend asking more than 10 total questions in one survey. Ask the respondent’s level of experience with the program (days or hours of participation, for example) as well as other background information. Ask the respondent’s level of experience with the program (days or hours of participation, for example) as well as other background information.

Survey Questions: How to Administer the Questions Written surveys Written surveys On-line surveys On-line surveys Interview format (over the phone or in-person) Interview format (over the phone or in-person)

Tips List your results with actual numbers; NOT percentages. List your results with actual numbers; NOT percentages. Track all brochures ordered and distributed. Track all brochures ordered and distributed. Count attendance at workshops and events. Count attendance at workshops and events. Offer incentives for people to make a behavior change and to return surveys. Offer incentives for people to make a behavior change and to return surveys. Track circulation (e-newsletters, newspaper articles, newsletter articles, and other related outreach tools). Track circulation (e-newsletters, newspaper articles, newsletter articles, and other related outreach tools). Offer pledges to motivate behavior change. Offer pledges to motivate behavior change.

Resources The Psychology of Sustainable Behavior: Tips for empowering people to take environmentally positive action ns/p-ee1-01.pdf ns/p-ee1-01.pdf

Questions?