The first half of a 90-minute workshop.Introduction:Ripple Effects Mapping is a participatory evaluation technique that has been used to effectively evaluate the work of community groups and organizations. Using Appreciative Inquiry, mind mapping within a group setting, and qualitative data analysis, REM has been utilized to identify the intended and unintended impacts of a group’s efforts (Chazdon, Emery, Hansen, Higgins, & Sero, 2017). During the REM process, stakeholders are encouraged to engage and deliberate together and then visually map the results of their programmatic efforts. The finished product is a visual map filled with narratives of progress that has come about because of a group effort.
REM is a useful tool to use when total program impact is difficult to conceptualize and measure with other evaluation methods and can be used in mixed methods evaluation strategies. The information gathered during a REM session can be shared with funders, partners, and other relevant decision makers (Kalambokidis, Hinz & Chazdon, 2015). The flexibility of the tool enables a Ripple Effects Mapping to be conducted mid-program - as part of a formative assessment - and/or post-program, for summative assessment purposes.
Research Questions:This session - designed as a workshop - will share a number of success stories of when Ripple Effects Mapping was effectively used in a variety of settings. There is no one set of research questions REM is designed to answer. Instead, it can be customized based on the group’s and evaluator’s needs. Overall, some or all the following questions may be answered at the end of a Ripple Effects Mapping:
- What are the emerging patterns and trends that have been a result of this group’s effort?
- For the evaluator: How can stakeholders uncover emerging patterns and trends from their group effort?
- What have been the group’s biggest accomplishments?
- For the evaluator: How can participants reflect and celebrate the group’s accomplishments?
- Thinking towards the future, what direction should the group move?
- For the evaluator: How can I engage the group in strategic planning?
Additional evaluator questions:
- How can a wide range of ages, cultures, and communities be engaged in an evaluation?
- How can evaluation results be validated in a group setting? Methods:
Designed to evaluate community groups, coalitions, and similar types of organizations, REM uses a variety of techniques to gather program and project impact. Involving aspects of Appreciative Inquiry (Hammond, 2013), mind mapping tactics (Buzan, 2013), facilitated discussion, group reflection, and qualitative data analysis (Patton, 2002), this evaluation strategy creates a visual representation of what a group has achieved and provides direction for future work. Ripple Effects Mapping gives voice to a diversity of stakeholders - including both program participants and those with different program roles - while capturing the intended and unintended impacts of the session participants.
Similar to other participatory methods (Cousins & Whitmore, 1998; Fetterman, Rodriguez-Campos, Wandersman, & O’Sullivan, 2014), REM involves program stakeholders during the data collection process. This enables participants to develop a better understanding of their program and gives them the opportunity to reflect on their own data.
