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NIOSH Publication No. 2004-135:

Does It Really Work?

March 2004
 
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Title - "Does It Really Work?" Title - "Does It Really Work?" Title - "Does It Really Work?"

Page Title - Steps for Evaluating Change
Your Location: Home >> Steps for Evaluating Change >> Analyze Data


Step 3: Analyze Data

Data must be systematically analyzed to determine whether the changes are effective. Data analysis can be simple or complex depending on the questions asked, the completeness of the data, and the experience of the evaluation team.

When analyzing data:

  • Allow team members to interpret findings independently.

  • Compare members’ findings with the goals set by the team.

  • Arrive at conclusions about the change on the basis of the findings.

  • Summarize the results in such a way that everyone involved understands them.

After the initial analysis is complete, you may want to continue collecting data about the change. These data can serve as baseline measures for future interventions. They are also useful for determining the long-term impact of the change.

How to calculate injury rates

The number of new injuries per 100 workers in a given period of time is called the incidence rate. Here is how to calculate it:

Incidence Rate Equation

Note: The figure “200,000 hours” will always be the same in your calculations. It represents 2,000 hours per worker, worked per year, times 100 workers..

Example: During 2001, there were five new injuries at a plant. The total number of hours worked that year was 250,000. The incidence rate is calculated as follows:

Calculation

As shown, there were 4 new injuries per 100 workers at the plant in 2001. The incidence rate is 4.


<< Step 2: Collect data  


Acknowledgements

 
Book cover - "Does It Really Work?"

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What Does It All Mean?
 
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Index to "Does It Really Work?"
 
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For additional information, see "Does It Really Work" [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004–135]. Single copies are available free from the following:

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