Collaborative Creation of a Logic Model and Performance Metrics for Evaluating a Violence Reduction Program

Abstract

This paper describes a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to evaluation used by an academic-practitioner partnership to refine the logic model for a violent crime reduction program and develop associated performance measures. Through qualitative and quantitative data collection, including semi-structured interviews, engagement with program stakeholders (e.g., program leaders and staff, peer researchers, community residents), community trainings, and review of program records, the research team worked through a six-phase participatory model to enhance stakeholders’ capacity for systematic progress assessment and data-driven decision-making. Key methodological contributions include making youth perspectives a central part of the logic model building process through in vivo qualitative data analyses and co-creating rigorous performance measures that holistically capture program outputs and outcomes. Although some challenges were encountered, such as delays in data collection and turnover of peer researchers, the CBPR approach strengthened organizational capacity for internal monitoring and program improvement, and set the stage for context-specific, responsive future impact evaluation.