‘Measuring’ Relationships
One of the most pressing challenges shared by many who believe in the importance of relationships lies in demonstrating the added value that they bring. The intimacy and idiosyncracy of relationships defy the sort of measurement that we have come accustomed to, and this stands in our way of convincing ‘relationship skeptics’ of the need to put them front and centre.
We do not profess to have the answers to this knotty conundrum, but we are committed to advancing the conversation by bringing together those who share an interest in this question. We’d love it if you’d join us.
We are collectively in a place where the question of how best to measure or value relationships is deeply contested. Wherever you are, a huge amount of energy is poured into the question of how we articulate the value of relationships, and this is threatening our resolve.
Opening up the conversation
Useful resources on measuring relationships
Most Significant Change (MSC)
MSC is a story-based evaluation method which invites participants to define, for themselves, the most significant change they have experienced over the course of a programme or project. Stories are then discussed by a panel of stakeholders, and the learning is shared back out to all those involved. It’s an inherently relational process that attempts to democratise evaluation.
Useful resources on MSC:
- This blog by the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum provides an introduction to MSC
- This guide by Better Evaluation describes the process of MSC, step-by-step
- This video conversation between Imogen Blood and Nick Andrews goes into depth about MSC
Ripple Effects Mapping (REM)
Like MSC, REM is a participatory evaluation method. It brings together those involved in a programme or project to map the intended and unintended outcomes, recognising that we can’t always predict what will happen as a result of an intervention, service or interaction. Again, it’s a more relational approach to measurement which recognises the emergent outcomes of relational work.
Useful resources on REM:
- This webpage by Create Gloucestershire offers useful resources on REM, including an introductory video
- This guide offers a comprehensive overview of REM
- This video by NIHR ARC West introduces REM and the contexts in which in can be used
Other methods and approaches
Social connection measurement tools inventory
An inventory of over 50 measures for evaluating social connection, social isolation and loneliness compiled by Prachir Pasricha for the Foundation for Social Connection
A review of storytelling methods
Storytelling intuitively feels like an appropriate approach but is often criticised as being bias or wooly. This light-touch review explores ways in which we can apply rigor to story-based approaches to measurement.
How to measure social capital
A review of the different dimensions of social capital, and individual and group level measures by the Institute for Social Capital
