Evaluating your reentry program requires more than answering a series of research questions. It requires a careful four-step “design mapping” process to help ensure that the research questions can be answered: 

1. Finalizing your research questions. Refine the questions so that they align with the study’s focus. For example, research questions for a process evaluation should focus on implementation. 
2. Identifying the constructs. Identify the constructs needed to be measured to answer the research question. For example, a process evaluation may examine the number of sessions completed.   
3. Finding your data. Locate the data sources for the constructs of interest, such as administrative data, surveys, or interviews.
4. Checking your design. Review the design map to identify any gaps that need to be addressed. 

This infographic from the Evaluation and Sustainability Training and Technical Assistance (ES TTA) team at RTI International and the Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) provides and overview of design mapping to help reentry program evaluators capture the data necessary to answer key research questions.