Using Ripple Effects Mapping to Evaluate a Community-Based Health Program: Perspectives of Program Implementers.

Traditional evaluation tools are oftentimes ill-suited for use in community settings where intervention outcomes of interest may occur at multiple levels and are influenced by interacting factors. Ripple effects mapping (REM) is a participatory technique engaging stakeholders to visually map project/program efforts and results to collect impact data. Using appreciative inquiry, the method helps participants and evaluators understand context for changes resulting from program experiences and is particularly well suited for community-based, participatory programs where impacts often occur beyond the individual level.