Bridging the Gap Both-Ways: Enhancing Evaluation Quality and Utilisation in a Study of Remote Community Safety and Wellbeing with Indigenous Australians
| Author | Nathalie Baxter,Judy Putt,Sue Sutton,Kim Grey |
| DOI | 10.1177/1035719X1601600303 |
| Published date | 01 September 2016 |
| Date | 01 September 2016 |
| Subject Matter | Refereed Article |
Grey, Putt, Baxter, Sutton—Bridging the gap both-ways 15
REFEREED ARTICLE Evaluation Journal of Australasia Vol 16 | No 3 | 2016 | pp. 15–24
KIM GREY | JUDY PUTT | NATHALIE BAXTER | SUE SUTTON
Bridging the gap both-ways: enhancing
evaluation quality and utilisation in a
study of remote community safety and
wellbeing with Indigenous Australians
This paper demonstrates how the voices of people aected by a policy can contribute
to evaluation quality and utilisation. In this participatory mixed-methods approach,
Indigenous Australians in remote parts of the Northern Territory of Australia were involved
in evaluation of an intervention that signicantly aected their daily lives. The evaluation
was inspired by the ideas and values demonstrated in a both-ways learning model. This
mixed-methods approach combines a people-centered participatory methodology with
a more standardised policy-focused application of survey methods to contribute to policy
development and local planning.
The aim of the study was to hear from local people in communities and encourage them
to share their views about changes in community safety. It provided a voice for Indigenous
Australians aected by the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER), which sought
to protect children in 73 Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory. The aim
of the NTER was to create safer communities and to improve health, nutrition, educational
outcomes, service delivery and engagement with Indigenous people. Regardless of views
about the NTER, a clear gap in the evidence base for evaluation was to understand if people
felt safer after the intervention. Increased police, safe houses, night patrols, health services,
family support services and management of income support payments were introduced, but
what did Indigenous people living in remote communities think? What was their experience
and what will happen to the information they may choose to share?
Adopting a mixed-methods approach that included a large-scale survey and qualitative
research conducted with local Indigenous residents of remote communities strengthened
evaluative ndings, particularly for policy makers and community residents. Aparticipatory
research cycle was used to engage local people and return results in an ethical feedback
process that aimed to build capacity on the ground and link into future planning. We sought
to promote the role of evaluation in remote Northern Territory communities as a worthwhile
way for local people to share their voice, stories and experiences with the policy makers
whose decisions can so signicantly aect their lives.
To continue reading
Request your trial