Module 12:
Action Frameworks
Overview
This module gives some basics on the idea of logic models and theories of change.
Why do we use these? One part of exploring the mechanisms of effect behind credible messenger mentoring is that we want your help in developing and sharing a logic model or theory of change from each site. These will be a visual representation of how our mentoring programs work!
Learning outcomes: You will be able to discuss logic models and theories of change with your mentees and fellow mentors. From this understanding, you can begin to develop your own versions to reflect the intricacies and unique characteristics of your community, your programming, and your experiences.
What we will do: We will take a look at some graphics (made in house!!), read some ideas behind logic models/theories of change, and contemplate our expectations for crafting individual models or theories.
Defining Action Frameworks: Logic Models and Theories of Change
All Toyotas and Hondas are cars, but not all cars are a Toyota or a Honda. This is how we want to think of action frameworks versus logic models and theories of change. Logic models and theories of change are a particular kind of action framework.
As we are doing our program evaluation, we will aim to create a form of action framework to visualize the pieces of our Credible Messenger mentoring programs. The models of our programs we create will inform our program evaluation - we need them to be able to compare how the implementation is being done in accordance to plan and theory.
Logic Models visually present the inner workings of a program by illustrating the components of it. This includes the resources available, the offered programming, and the intended outcomes of programming.
Theories of Change do similar work, presenting a representation of the theory behind a program. The intentions of a program are made clear by showing the idea behind the change is seeks to enact.
To the right here, we see one way we can present different levels in a society which influence the decisions and actions of a singular person.
While this is a useful way to see how nested pieces of our world are, it may not be the best representation of the resources available, programming offered, and intended outcomes of our CM mentoring.
Take a look at some more examples of action framework models below:
Image courtesy of: SAM BACHMAN'S GRAPHIC DESIGN SKILLS
Image courtesy of: Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees https://www.gcir.org/resources/GCIR-theory-of-change
Image courtesy of: Early Intervention Foundation; Evaluation Hub https://evaluationhub.eif.org.uk/theory-of-change/
Image courtesy of: Accountability Lab https://accountabilitylab.org/what-we-learned-while-updating-our-theory-of-change/
Our Action Frameworks
Given what we just talked about, our action framework need to be developed! What this looks like, what is on it, and, ultimately, how we present it are the unknowns... for now.
As we learn more about research, think of all the individual components of CM mentoring. What kinds of graphics would best show everything that goes into your programs? Do any of the ones above seem particularly useful?
As a community researcher, you're intimately familiar with the constraints and resources available to your programs. You're likewise alert to the design and goals of your program.
The Takeaway: We'll be using some form of these models to create a visualization of how we see our mentoring programs work. This includes one for each site, and one overall to reflect all three of our sites. Logic models and theories of change can come in many different forms and be used to visually represent diverse topics. After learning about them, and seeing a few examples, start thinking of how you might develop your own!