Outcome Measures
Establishing, Presenting and Using Outcome Measures ∗
Outcome measures are important to accreditation and other forms of evaluation. Outcome measures are quantifiable indicators that gauge productivity, in this case productivity of a school or graduate program of public health. Although this paper refers to schools, the information and advice herein are also applicable to graduate programs outside schools of public health. These quantifiable indicators may represent a school in its entirety, or an individual function carried out by a school, such as education, research, or service. Outcome measurement, sometimes referred to as performance measurement or outcomes assessment, is the practice of identifying and assessing 1 or more indicators that capture and reflect the achievements of a school or program. Monitoring of indicators enables a school to document the outcomes, successes and ultimately the effectiveness of its efforts.
The use of outcome measures to characterize a school is not a substitute for reflective observation of the processes associated with the life of the academy, such as the nature of the social networks among students, faculty and alumni; the feeling of allegiance to an institution and its science; and the sense of belonging to a profession. The use of outcome measures is not a substitute for thoughtful evaluation, nor does it relieve schools from observing and assessing the less tangible parts of the academic mission, the things that are not easily measured. The use of outcome measures is an adjunct to these processes; it should support and sustain deliberative evaluation that is meaningful to the multiple stakeholders of a school.
The emphasis on outcome measurement has expanded in recent years due to mounting pressure for accountability and the need to document effectiveness to various constituents. This interest has occurred in higher education; in disciplines such as medicine, public health, and business; and even in the federal
Outcome measures are important to accreditation and other forms of evaluation. Outcome measures are quantifiable indicators that gauge productivity, in this case productivity of a school or graduate program of public health. Although this paper refers to schools, the information and advice herein are also applicable to graduate programs outside schools of public health. These quantifiable indicators may represent a school in its entirety, or an individual function carried out by a school, such as education, research, or service. Outcome measurement, sometimes referred to as performance measurement or outcomes assessment, is the practice of identifying and assessing 1 or more indicators that capture and reflect the achievements of a school or program. Monitoring of indicators enables a school to document the outcomes, successes and ultimately the effectiveness of its efforts.
The use of outcome measures to characterize a school is not a substitute for reflective observation of the processes associated with the life of the academy, such as the nature of the social networks among students, faculty and alumni; the feeling of allegiance to an institution and its science; and the sense of belonging to a profession. The use of outcome measures is not a substitute for thoughtful evaluation, nor does it relieve schools from observing and assessing the less tangible parts of the academic mission, the things that are not easily measured. The use of outcome measures is an adjunct to these processes; it should support and sustain deliberative evaluation that is meaningful to the multiple stakeholders of a school.
The emphasis on outcome measurement has expanded in recent years due to mounting pressure for accountability and the need to document effectiveness to various constituents. This interest has occurred in higher education; in disciplines such as medicine, public health, and business; and even in the federal