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Two new video microlearnings adopt the metaphor of a weather news reporter to discuss topics in outcomes reporting.

FRC produced two more microlearning video trainings in October. These covered common issues in evaluation reporting practices—namely, how to avoid overwhelming a reader with irrelevant data and how to approach reporting on unexpected or surprising outcomes. The videos feature the example of a television weather news reporter who finds himself drawn toward leaning on these suboptimal reporting techniques.

"I just love what you're doing," said Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board member Susan Fowler at the October 22, 2025 meeting. "I taught research methodology for years at the university, and I would have very much benefited from some of these short micro-lessons. People get so distracted by how and what to report, and you have really distilled it into a humorous as well as very cogent summary."

The first microlearning video urges individuals who write outcomes reports to "avoid the data dump." A data dump is a large volume of facts offered without context or analysis. Instead, report writers should select data that is relevant to their intended message while accounting for both audience and purpose.

The second microlearning video encourages report writers to "tell it like it is." Reporting on null or unexpected outcomes might seem scary; but in fact, these outcomes represent an important opportunity for growth. Telling the full story of a program can provide important context and offer insights into needed programmatic changes, leading to continuous quality improvement.

These videos are truly micro—three and a half and five minutes respectively—and, like their predecessors, are freely available on the FRC website. Please give them a watch there or below!

Outcomes Reporting - Avoiding the Data Dump

A data dump is a large volume of facts offered without context or analysis. This video discusses the importance of avoiding the data dump in reporting. Rather, individuals who report on outcomes should select data that is relevant to their intended message while accounting for both audience and purpose.

Recorded, edited, and produced by Nathaniel Underland. Written by Nathaniel Underland. Evaluation team: Jacinda K. Dariotis, Dana A. Eldreth, Rachel Jackson-Gordon, Stephanie Sloane. Funding provided by the Champaign County Mental Health Board and Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board.

Outcomes Reporting - Avoiding Under- and Overreporting

This video encourages individuals who write outcomes reports to "tell it like it is." Reporting on null or unexpected outcomes might seem scary, but in fact, these outcomes represent an important opportunity for evaluation. Telling the full story of a program can provide important context and offer insights into programmatic changes, leading to continuous quality improvement.

Recorded, edited, and produced by Nathaniel Underland. Written by Jacinda K. Dariotis and Nathaniel Underland. Evaluation team: Jacinda K. Dariotis, Dana A. Eldreth, Rachel Jackson-Gordon, Stephanie Sloane. Funding provided by the Champaign County Mental Health Board and Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board.