Appendix Table 2. Outcome Measures to Assess Evidence-Based Decision Making Capacity and Supports in 12 States, 2014–2016.

Outcomes (Dependent Variables)	Variable Calculation	No. of Items	Item Type	Item (or Sample Item)
Individual-level capacity
EBDM skill gaps summary	Sum of 10 calculated gaps	10	Likert 11-point scale	Score for perceived importance of each skill minus score for perceived work unit availability of each skill
Skill gap
Prioritization	Perceived importance minus availability	1	Likert 11-point scale	Prioritization: Understand how to prioritize program and policy options
Adapting interventions				Adapting interventions: Understand how to modify programs and policies for different communities and settings
Quantifying the issue				Quantifying the issue: Understand the uses of descriptive epidemiology (eg, concepts of person, place, time) in quantifying a public health issue
Evaluation designs				Evaluation designs: Understand the different designs that are useful in program or policy evaluation
Quantitative evaluation				Quantitative evaluation: Understand the uses of quantitative evaluation approaches
Qualitative evaluation				Qualitative evaluation: Understand the value of qualitative evaluation approaches (eg, focus groups, key informant interviews)
Economic evaluation				Economic evaluation: Understand how to use economic data in the decision making process
Action planning				Action planning: Understand the importance of developing an action plan for how to achieve goals and objectives
Community assessment				Community assessment: Understand how to define the health issue according to the needs and assets of the population/community of interest
Communicating research to policy				Communicating research to policy makers: Understand the importance of effectively communicating with policy makers about public health issues
Use of research evidence	Mean of responses	6	Frequency 4 categories	How often do you use research evidence to: Write a grant application Plan or conduct a needs assessment Select policies, programs, or other interventions Justify selection of interventions to funders, agency leadership, or external partners Evaluate interventions Develop materials for local public health, partners
Organization-level capacity
Access to evidence and skilled staff	Factor created in exploratory factor analysis (EFA)	4	Likert 7-point scale	Agreement with statements: My work unit has access to current research evidence for EBDM Informational resources are available to my work unit to promote the use of EBDM My work unit currently has the resources (eg, staff, facilities, partners) to support application of EBDM The staff in my work unit has the necessary skills to carry out EBDM
Program evaluation	Factor created in EFA	3	Likert 7-point scale	Agreement with statements: My work unit plans for evaluation of interventions before implementation My work unit uses evaluation data to monitor and improve interventions My work unit distributes intervention evaluation findings to other organizations
Supervisory expectations	Factor created in EFA	3	Likert 7-point scale	Agreement with statements: My direct supervisor expects me to use EBDM My direct supervisor recognizes the value of management practices that facilitate EBDM My performance is partially evaluated on how well I use EBDM in my work
Participatory decision making	Factor created in EFA	3	Likert 7-point scale	Agreement with statements: When decisions are made within my work unit, program staff members are asked for input Information is widely shared in my work unit so that everyone who makes decisions has access to all available knowledge My work unit engages a diverse external network of partners that share resources for EBDM