Publication - Advice and guidance

Designing and Evaluating Behaviour Change Interventions Summary

A summary version of fuller guidance on how to use the 5-Step approach to design and evaluate any behaviour change intervention.

AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS GUIDANCE IS AVAIBABLE HERE http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/05/6880

Guidance for service providers, funders and commissioners (Summary version)

	Identify the problem		If your ultimate aim is to change people’s behaviour, you need to be clear what it is you are trying to change and why there is currently a need for this to happen.
	Review the evidence		What you intend to do should be grounded in the evidence of ‘what works’ and why. Service providers should review the available evidence in order to plan activities which can be expected to achieve the intended behaviour change. The evidence should guide what you do and help you to understand the process through which it should work.
	Draw a logic model		A logic model is a diagram which shows, step-by-step, why the activities you plan should achieve your aims. The logic model forms the basis for evaluating the whole project – you are going to test whether these steps happened as you predicted.
	Identify Indicators and monitor your model		Use the logic model to identify indicators (i.e. measurements or observations) that things actually happen as you predicted. You will need to collect data about your project from the start on inputs, activities, users, short, medium and long-term outcomes.
	Evaluate logic model		Analyse the data you've collected on your various indictors to evaluate how well your project worked for your various users. Report on whether your data suggests the logic model worked as planned. Be honest about any areas which were less effective. Use this to improve your service.