Commonwealth Youth Development Index

24 Commonwealth Youth Development Index: National and Regional Toolkit
What do you need to measure attainment (or not) of success?
• Allow for the resources and information needed. Qualitative
and quantitative information may need to be collected, stored
and analysed, in addition to report writing and presentation.
• Take a holistic view of the project. Aspects such as
administration, implementation, marketing, training, etc.
should all be resourced.
How do you report on success, whether achieved or not?
• Disseminate findings widely, allocate responsibility
for implementing agreed recommendations and, most
importantly, follow up to ensure that changes are made.
6.2 Composite index principles
There is much detailed and expert advice on composite indexes.
This section aims to briefly outline the essentials, while linking to
already formulated and tested resources that may be utilised in
the development of specific YDIs.
Overarching principles of composite indexes include that they be:
• based on conceptually sound foundations
• policy relevant (with clear domain priority areas)
• data measurable (comprehensive, consistent, harmonised)
• methodology transparent, easy to understand
• based on principle not conclusions.
For a detailed expert methodology of index creation we
recommend the OECD’s Handbook on Constructing Composite
Indicators (OECD 2008). 1
6.3 How to choose country/region-specific indicators
Country or regional youth development indicators need to be
relevant both locally and globally, as well as comparable across areas.
For example, if it is known that many of an area’s youth participate
in drama activities through their youth centre, but do not
play a sport, then measuring football as an indicator for Civic
Participation will result in the area’s youth being reported as not
engaged in the community; yet they are – but through drama not
football.
This local context often leads more to reasons for excluding
indicators, and it is important to acknowledge that imperfect