DAC Data AnalyticsDAC Data AnalyticsUsing State and Local Data to Improve Using State and Local Data to Improve ResultsResults

DAC GOAL

Form partnerships in states that join state and local agencies in

the use of data to drive improved

results

Premises

Data Use involves:• Working through a Collaborative Team

approach.• Engaging Team in a Continuous

Improvement Process.• Relating the Data to specific

Problem/Issue.

Using Data is an Iterative Process!

Why Data Analysis?

Proactive Versus Reactive

Preparation PhaseStep 1: Identify Relevant Data

Module 1 - Identify relevant data to define/refine problem• Provide overview of data quality standards• Demonstrate how to visually represent data• Review available data• Identify relevant data based on defined/refined

problem

Inquiry PhaseStep 2: Conduct Data Analysis

Module 2 – Conduct data analysis to generate hypothesis• Review relevant data • Define hypothesis• Analyze data• Develop analysis plan

Inquiry PhaseStep 3: Test Hypothesis

Module 3 – Test hypothesis to determine root cause(s)• Triangulate data• Discuss how to test hypothesis• Determine root cause(s)

Action PhaseStep 4: Plan for Improvement

Module 4 – Improvement planning• Discuss goal setting• Review basic components of an improvement

plan• Give examples of good v. unacceptable

components of improvement plan• Develop improvement plan

Action PhaseStep 5: Evaluate Progress

Module 5 – Evaluate progress• Discuss evaluation types, performance data &

measures• Differentiate between efforts v. effects

Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia Data Analysis for System

Improvement

Data Quality Standards

Question: How do we know if we are using high quality data?

Answer: Data collected, submitted, analyzed, and reported must be:

TimelyAccurate

(Reliable and valid)

Secure

Useful

Steps in Preparation

Collecting the Available Relevant Data

What data are available related to the issue? State? Local? Other data sources?

How many years of trend data should be reviewed?

What data should be included for comparison purposes? State ? Other locality data?

How can the data be disaggregated? By age of child? By service coordinator? By a time period?

Do we have qualitative as well as quantitative data that relate to the issue?

For easy analysis how should the data be displayed?

Possible ways to display data include:

Column charts

Bar charts

Line charts

Pie charts

Maps

Begin with Setting Guidelines

Generating a Hypotheses

Generating Hypotheses

Hypothesis Testing

Guiding Questions• What procedures might have contributed to

current performance?• Is there any information that would lead us to

reject or accept each hypothesis?• Given our data picture, are there any other

possible explanations we might pose?• What data if any, do we still need to collect to

determine our actionable causes.

Analysis involves organizing and understanding data based on criteria

you develop; it is useful when you want to find some trend or pattern.

Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab

Determining the Actionable Causes:

Helps resolve the issue

Eliminates meaningless effort

Conserves resources

Identifies efficient and effective strategies

Leads to Improvement

The Data Analysis Process

The Data Analysis Process

The Data Analysis Process

“I’ll pause for a moment so you can let this information sink in.”

Discussion Questions

• What approaches or methods are you using at the state level to analyze your child and family outcome data to improve results for children and families? Can you share any lessons learned?

• Are you working with local programs to assist them in using outcome data to consider how quality practices impact child and family outcome results? If so, describe the process or tools you use to help locals examine data and practices to make changes for improvement.

Discussion Questions

• How might the DAC data analytic model or the Relationship of Quality Practices to Child and Family Outcome Measurement Results tool help you with these efforts?

• What additional information or technical assistance would be beneficial?