How does True Impact define quality data?
The heart of our report builder is an outcomes focused logic model that enables you to articulate how your program helps participants achieve the program’s mission. However, we don’t want you to short-change your program by ending your logic model at the point that you are tracking indicators. So, through our best available data approach, you can provide estimates or extrapolations for those end outcomes if your program doesn’t have the current data or capacity to measure them.
Data Quality. All data reported through True Impact is classified by quality and backed up by the reporting nonprofit's sources, assumptions, and definitions of success. Top-level categories include:
- Direct measurement of program results, including testing, monitoring, or reporting by the beneficiaries or program implementers, using subjective or objective evaluation criteria.
- Estimate based on data from other, similar programs; indirect tracking of outcomes (e.g., government data); or the program's past results.
- Guess based on experience, anecdotal results, or logical assumptions.
The first two categories – direct measurement and estimate based on data – are considered high-quality (or evidence-based) data, providing some validation for the reporting organization’s assertions. Guess are considered low-quality data that can be improved in future implementation cycles.