Process Evaluation

Abstract

Although complete program evaluation includes assessment of the program implementation process as well as examination of impact and outcome variables, such process evaluation does not always occur. Duringfield implementation programs may be changed, or reinvented, by those adopting the innovation. A case study of the A rthritis Self-Care Project, a rural community-based intervention study, demonstrates the importance of process evaluation in determining the actual independent variable. Instances of reinvention uncovered by theArthritis Self-Care Project are explored, and suggestions are provided for dealing with the reinvention inevitable in field research.