1.3 Methods

The Evaluation employed a mixed methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data sources. Information was obtained from:

• Project documentation/data submitted to DoHA by funded organisations, as part of DoHA’s contract management of the 49 projects evaluated. This includes funding agreements, progress reports, final reports, internal evaluations and external evaluations
• An online survey developed by AHA that was completed by projects, comprising a mix of closed questions, rating scales and open-ended text responses
• Workshop consultations with project representatives conducted late in 2012
• Consultations with key stakeholders including:
  • State/territory government representatives responsible for developing/implementing jurisdictional suicide prevention strategies (referred to as jurisdictional suicide prevention representatives)
  • Peak body representatives
  • Suicide prevention experts
• Consultations with representatives from DoHA Central Office (CO) and State and Territory Offices (STO) that are responsible for administering NSPP-funded project activities (referred to as DoHA STO/CO representatives)
• Published evaluation reports of the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) Suicide Prevention service initiative and MindMatters
• Data collected and submitted by 47 projects for the six month period October 2012 to March 2013, using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) developed and implemented by AHA.

All information was systematically analysed, including thematic analysis of narrative data. A range of descriptive statistics was generated from the quantitative data analysis. The development of findings was supported by the Stage 2 Literature Review (Appendix E), which enabled project activities to be considered in light of the evidence for best practice.

Throughout the Evaluation, an advisory group provided critical feedback regarding the direction of the evaluation and the findings.