Preliminary Input, Output, and Outcome Indicators

In writing research projects, terms like input, activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts are common. It is essential to differentiate the terms because their understanding does not only ensure identification of appropriate indicators but also their measurements. The terms can also be referred to as indicators because they determine measure and indicate the position of a given project (McDavid, Huse, & Hawthorn, 2013). In this case, I am going to use the project I am working on to help in better understanding of three indicators namely: input, output and outcome indicators.

McDavid et al. (2013) argue that in most cases, inputs are normally confused with the activities and thought to be synonymous. However, these terms are not interchangeable. Inputs are the things used in the implementation of projects. In this project, apprentice program at Northeast Reintegration Center (NERC), inputs that will implement the project are human resources, machinery like vehicles, finances in form of money, and equipment like public address systems. The purpose of inputs is to ensure the possibility of delivery of the intended project results. Human resource inputs will include teachers, counsellors, general public, and government among other stakeholders who are interested in alleviating recidivism (Crow & Smykla, 2014). Moreover, finance will come from donors and well-wishers to facilitate operations in the organization. On the other hand, equipment will include machines used to train the former prisoners and enhance their skills so that they can get engaged when they reenter the society and avoid committing crimes that may land them in prison again (In Hiram, 2014). 

Outputs are the first level of results that are associated with any given project. Outputs are the direct and immediate results that a project is associated with (McDavid et al., 2013). In other words, outputs are the short term goals a project achieves. The goals of the apprentice program at Northeast Reintegration Center (NERC) is to ensure that the progtam is recognised nationwide, decrease the rates of recidivism in the state of Ohio, create more related programs in the future with the same intentions, and increase employment rates of ex-offenders. For this reaseon, the expected outputs for this program are to improve the elationship of the ex-offrenders and their communities, host job affairs for the offendedrs, prevent recidivism, improve the quality of life of the police officers, and print pamphalets and emails to show the success of the project. With sufficient inputs in place, the program is deemed to succeed bacause it address the issues that ex-offrenders enconter once they return to their societies after completing their sentenses (In Hiram, 2014). Moreover, if the inputs are well utilised and provided, it is expected that ex-offrenders will have something to do once they join their commnites (Crow & Smykla, 2014). Human resources will advice, provide guidance, counsel, and train the ex-offenders to ensure that they are acceptable in the society. Consequently, the level of recidivism will decrease in ohio. 

According to McDavid et al. (2013) outcome is the second level of results associates with a given project and usually, refers to medium-term results of a project. It is therefore important to not that outcomes are linked to the goals of a given project. In the apprentice program at NERC, outcomes are devided in three categories which include intermediate outcomes, outcomes, and final outcomes. Intermediate outcomes are aimed at ensuring that stajkeholders view on reintergratio improves, fedaral and state governments incresde funding, sustainable recovery funding is obtained, certificate ceremonies are conduccted, and acceptability of ex-offenders in the society enhanced. Likewise, outcomes include: change of community parception om ex-offenders, correction departmsnt incrporates reintegration and shuns segregation, courts adops other methods other than prison rehabilitation, and positive behaviour of ex-offenders is enhanced. On the other hand, final outcomes of the progarm include acknowdment of the program nationwide, decrease the rates of recidivism in ohio, create similar prpgrams in futur in other parts of the state, and increase the employment rates of ex- offeners in the society. To measure these outcomes, the naumber of exoffenders who are aressted for commiting crimes will be taken before and after the program (Crow & Smykla, 2014). Furthermore, the number of employed ex-offenders in employement will be recorded before and after implementation of the project to undesrtand the inpact and benefits of the program in the society (In Hiram, 2014). 

In conclusion, the success of a given project depens on the success of several indicators which work hand in hand and one leads to another. However, it is important to have the goals that need to be met at all time to ensure that the project do not deviate from its mandate. Inputs are wessential because they determine the possible expected outcome of a project. Outputs on the other hand keep in check the goals of a priject to ensure that the project is on the right track and if not, necessary acctions need to be taken. Likewise, outcome measure the succes of a project against the set goals and recommendation made bsed on the outcmes. Therefore, it is impirtant to not that the main aim of the program which is to reduce recidivism and create employment for ex offenders is not a one step thing but a conjuctions of seveal steps.

Reference

McDavid, J. C., Huse, I., & Hawthorn, L. R. L. (2013). Program evaluation and performance measurement: An introduction to practice (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Crow, M., & Smykla, J. O. (2014). Offender reentry: Rethinking criminology and criminal justice.In Hiram, M. J. (2014). Offender reentry: Background, federal programs, and an annotated bibliography.