Performance Measurement & Indicators Flashcards

What is the 'attribution problem' in performance measurement?

Answer: The problem of determining whether observed outcomes are caused by the program versus external factors

The attribution problem refers to the challenge of determining whether observed outcomes are caused by the program rather than by external factors, confounds, or other interventions.

In performance measurement, what does 'data disaggregation' refer to?

Answer: Breaking down aggregate data by subgroups such as race, gender, or age to examine disparities

Data disaggregation involves breaking down overall program data into subgroups to identify whether outcomes differ across demographic or other characteristics, revealing potential disparities.

Which of the following best describes 'stretch targets' in performance measurement?

Answer: Ambitious goals set beyond expected performance to encourage innovation and improvement

Stretch targets are ambitious performance goals set beyond what is routinely expected, intended to motivate programs to reach higher levels of performance.

What is a 'theory of action' as it relates to performance measurement?

Answer: An explanation of how specific program activities are expected to produce desired outcomes

A theory of action describes the specific activities a program will undertake and explains how those activities are expected to produce desired changes, forming the basis for selecting relevant performance indicators.

When performance data shows a program is not meeting its targets, evaluators should first:

Answer: Investigate potential causes including data quality, implementation fidelity, and contextual factors

When targets are not met, evaluators should investigate multiple potential causes including data quality issues, implementation problems, and external contextual factors before drawing conclusions.

Which of the following represents a concern about 'indicator creep' in performance measurement systems?

Answer: The accumulation of too many indicators, making systems burdensome and unfocused

Indicator creep refers to the gradual accumulation of too many performance indicators, making data collection burdensome and reducing focus on the most critical measures of success.

What is the main advantage of using administrative data for performance measurement?

Answer: It is typically collected as part of routine program operations, making it cost-effective to use

Administrative data is collected as part of routine program operations (e.g., intake forms, service records), making it cost-effective to use for performance measurement without additional data collection burden.