Logic model development for an MPA program

Logic Model

Table for Logic Model of MPA Program

INPUTS

- Tuition

- Educational Funds

- Grades

Papers, assignments, projects

College resources, dorms, businesses, bookstores

ACTIVITIES

- Classes

Social relationships

- Academic Exchange

OUTPUTS

- Graduation

- Essays, papers, projects

- New theories of behavior and knowledge

- Teachers get paid, students learn, college makes money

- Waste and free time

New theories of learning

- Aligning students and teachers with proper academic techniques and methods

Community building

- Even distribution of resources between citizens

Public good over the right of the individual's choice of freedom

Why are each of these components valuable?

A useful and complete logic model should paint and describe an image of how a specfic effort or initiative is supposed to pan out. This model explains why a chosen strategy is a good solution to the problem or not. A deep and effective logic models creates an explicit, and sometimes visual, statement of the activities that will usher in new change and results onemight expect to see for the community and its people. A solid and useful logic model uses participants in the effort of moving in the same direction by providing a common language and point of reference.

Each component is valuable because each and every segment is valuable to the overall description of the model. Omitting any portion of this model will leave the user blank minded and wanting for more useful data that can be incorporated into this tool. The WK Kellog Foundation (2004) suggested that "A logic model is a systematic and visual way to present and share your understanding of the relationships among the resources you have to operate your program, the activities you plan, and the changes or results you hope to achieve." Using this definition it appears that the model must be taken in full consideration before it can be used for any type of purpose, good or bad.

2. Which components are not valuable? Again, be specific.

Since value is a highly subjective and qualitative term, each component may or may not be classified in this manner. It is obvious that some components of this logic model are more useful than others, but that practicality and value are not necessarily the same thing. Specifically in the MPA logic model, the actual requirements presented by the university to the students is less valuable because they are not very practical. To me, the discipline and willpower required to complete some very questionable assignments is a more valuable skill than actually performing well on these tasks. In this example these inputs are very general and are seen everywhere. Essentially they are the building blocks of any and all models, therefore their value is not as evident as other parts of this model which ultimately reveal the true purposes and meanings behind such a model.

3. How do these components relate to each other in a logical fashion? Do any not relate in a logical fashion?

Although the logic model claims to be "logical" sometimes it falls short of creating a useful and applicable tool that may be used in any practical manner. The outcomes and outputs are very similar in style and fashion and seems slightly redundant in this model. In fact, many of these classifications could be interchanged. This problem for the logic model can be overcome by arranging the data in a more logical and practical fashion.

It appears that outcomes and outputs are merely a function of time which helps to bring the model into a more fluent understanding of its topic. A universal logic is not necessary however, if the model seems to fit to the project it is being applied to making the model a very useful tool regardless if it always follows a logical and sane pattern of unfoldment.

4. How would you measure the efficiency of the program, which variables, and which types of variables?