title: Evaluating health promotion: the strategic evaluation framework

authors: Duignan, Paul Warren

abstract: The objective of this study was to produce a framework for evaluating health promotion that is both practical and theoretically defensible. There were six steps in developing this framework. First, the evaluation and health promotion literature was examined for lessons relevant to health promotion evaluation. Second, the author was involved as an evaluation researcher in a series of health promotion projects (five of which are reported here). Third, key practical, methodological, political and theoretical issues arising from these evaluation projects were identified and addressed. Fourth, taking these issues into account, an initial framework for health promotion evaluation was developed. Fifth, the framework was exposed to health promotion practitioners at a series of workshops run by the author and colleagues. Sixth, the strategic evaluation approach was further refined in the light of the Author’s continuing involvement in health promotion evaluation practice. Six elements make up the resulting Strategic Evaluation Framework for Health Promotion: a checklist for health promotion programme planning and evaluation; a matrix of health promotion strategies; a schema for health promotion programme objective setting; a set of criteria for selecting the type and level of evaluation for different projects within an overall programme; a model of where health promotion strategic evaluation fits within the social problem cycle; and lastly a strategic approach to determining priority health promotion evaluation research methods. Together, these address key issues which need to be dealt with in health promotion evaluation. Based on the belief that evaluation decisions should be strategically driven, this approach is particularly relevant in health promotion areas where issues are strongly contested by powerful stakeholders. This decision as to what and how to evaluate comes from examining the strategic priorities of the sector in which the programme is located. This is in contrast to more generalised calls for programme evaluation which demand similar evaluation types for all health promotion programmes regardless of the current strategic needs of the sector.

text: Evaluating health promotion: the strategic evaluation framework The objective of this study was to produce a framework for evaluating health promotion that is both practical and theoretically defensible. There were six steps in developing this framework. First, the evaluation and health promotion literature was examined for lessons relevant to health promotion evaluation. Second, the author was involved as an evaluation researcher in a series of health promotion projects (five of which are reported here). Third, key practical, methodological, political and theoretical issues arising from these evaluation projects were identified and addressed. Fourth, taking these issues into account, an initial framework for health promotion evaluation was developed. Fifth, the framework was exposed to health promotion practitioners at a series of workshops run by the author and colleagues. Sixth, the strategic evaluation approach was further refined in the light of the Author’s continuing involvement in health promotion evaluation practice. Six elements make up the resulting Strategic Evaluation Framework for Health Promotion: a checklist for health promotion programme planning and evaluation; a matrix of health promotion strategies; a schema for health promotion programme objective setting; a set of criteria for selecting the type and level of evaluation for different projects within an overall programme; a model of where health promotion strategic evaluation fits within the social problem cycle; and lastly a strategic approach to determining priority health promotion evaluation research methods. Together, these address key issues which need to be dealt with in health promotion evaluation. Based on the belief that evaluation decisions should be strategically driven, this approach is particularly relevant in health promotion areas where issues are strongly contested by powerful stakeholders. This decision as to what and how to evaluate comes from examining the strategic priorities of the sector in which the programme is located. This is in contrast to more generalised calls for programme evaluation which demand similar evaluation types for all health promotion programmes regardless of the current strategic needs of the sector.

year: 1997

title: Light interception efficiency explained by two simple variables: a test using a diversity of small- to medium-sized woody plants

authors: Duursma, R.A.

subjects: leaf area index

abstract: •Plant light interception efficiency is a crucial determinant of carbon uptake by individual plants and by vegetation. Our aim was to identify whole-plant variables that summarize complex crown architecture, which can be used to predict light interception efficiency.
•We gathered the largest database of digitized plants to date (1831 plants of 124 species), and estimated a measure of light interception efficiency with a detailed three-dimensional model. Light interception efficiency was defined as the ratio of the hemispherically averaged displayed to total leaf area. A simple model was developed that uses only two variables, crown density (the ratio of leaf area to total crown surface area) and leaf dispersion (a measure of the degree of aggregation of leaves).
•The model explained 85% of variation in the observed light interception efficiency across the digitized plants. Both whole-plant variables varied across species, with differences in leaf dispersion related to leaf size. Within species, light interception efficiency decreased with total leaf number. This was a result of changes in leaf dispersion, while crown density remained constant.
•These results provide the basis for a more general understanding of the role of plant architecture in determining the efficiency of light harvesting.

text: Light interception efficiency explained by two simple variables: a test using a diversity of small- to medium-sized woody plants •Plant light interception efficiency is a crucial determinant of carbon uptake by individual plants and by vegetation. Our aim was to identify whole-plant variables that summarize complex crown architecture, which can be used to predict light interception efficiency.
•We gathered the largest database of digitized plants to date (1831 plants of 124 species), and estimated a measure of light interception efficiency with a detailed three-dimensional model. Light interception efficiency was defined as the ratio of the hemispherically averaged displayed to total leaf area. A simple model was developed that uses only two variables, crown density (the ratio of leaf area to total crown surface area) and leaf dispersion (a measure of the degree of aggregation of leaves).
•The model explained 85% of variation in the observed light interception efficiency across the digitized plants. Both whole-plant variables varied across species, with differences in leaf dispersion related to leaf size. Within species, light interception efficiency decreased with total leaf number. This was a result of changes in leaf dispersion, while crown density remained constant.
•These results provide the basis for a more general understanding of the role of plant architecture in determining the efficiency of light harvesting.

year: 2012-01

title: “Landlords wouldn’t give my application a second look.” Discrimination exacerbates inequalities in access to private rental housing

authors: Terruhn, Jessica

abstract: This report and the key insights are based on findings from a housing survey that was conducted with 800 residents in neighbourhoods in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. 
• Perceptions of unfairness in Aotearoa’s housing sector are widespread. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to think that people are treated unfairly when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. 
• Nearly one in three respondents reported having experienced discrimination when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to report experiences of discrimination. 
• Advantage and disadvantage in securing a home are determined by a combination of interlocking factors, including income and employment status, age, family status, and race/ethnicity or skin colour. These patterns suggest widespread experiences of potentially unlawful housing discrimination. 
• People strategically try to avoid and mitigate discrimination. Expectations of being discriminated against and of being advantaged influence where and how home seekers search for housing. This finding signals that experiences of rejection play a role in constraining people’s housing choices. 
• The survey findings suggest that discrimination, as part of tenant selection, contributes to housing precarity and inequalities in access to rental housing. Therefore, this research points to an urgent need to address housing discrimination, especially in the context of high levels of residential mobility among renters and intense competition for rental properties.

text: “Landlords wouldn’t give my application a second look.” Discrimination exacerbates inequalities in access to private rental housing This report and the key insights are based on findings from a housing survey that was conducted with 800 residents in neighbourhoods in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. 
• Perceptions of unfairness in Aotearoa’s housing sector are widespread. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to think that people are treated unfairly when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. 
• Nearly one in three respondents reported having experienced discrimination when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to report experiences of discrimination. 
• Advantage and disadvantage in securing a home are determined by a combination of interlocking factors, including income and employment status, age, family status, and race/ethnicity or skin colour. These patterns suggest widespread experiences of potentially unlawful housing discrimination. 
• People strategically try to avoid and mitigate discrimination. Expectations of being discriminated against and of being advantaged influence where and how home seekers search for housing. This finding signals that experiences of rejection play a role in constraining people’s housing choices. 
• The survey findings suggest that discrimination, as part of tenant selection, contributes to housing precarity and inequalities in access to rental housing. Therefore, this research points to an urgent need to address housing discrimination, especially in the context of high levels of residential mobility among renters and intense competition for rental properties.

year: 2024-08