The Qualitative Methods Center

presents:

Practical Tips for Conducting High-Quality Process Studies: Lessons from the BOND Evaluation

Michelle K. Derr and Denise Hoffman from Mathematica, Presenters

Presentation is now available, here:

http://blogs.cam.abtassoc.com/MethodsCenters/?page_id=2953

Conducting a process study as part of an experimental evaluation strengthens evaluators’ ability to document the implementation of an intervention, assess program fidelity, and explain program impacts. This interactive seminar, conducted by Michelle K. Derr and Denise Hoffman from Mathematica Policy Research, will provide practical guidance for conducting a high-quality process study alone or as part of a larger experimental evaluation. Presenters will draw from their experience working with Abt Associates on the Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) evaluation conducted on behalf of the Social Security Administration. They will discuss topics such as developing a rigorous study design and data collection processes, tips for blending qualitative and quantitative data in reporting, and advice for managing a unified and effective process study team.

Michelle K. Derr, a senior researcher at Mathematica Policy Research, is well known for her ability to translate research findings effectively to improve public policies and direct practice. She specializes in evaluating employment and training initiatives targeted to public assistance clients, ex-offenders, individuals with disabilities, and other disadvantaged populations. As an implementation researcher, she has conducted site visits to welfare agencies and other social service programs in roughly 100 communities in more than half the states and the District of Columbia. Putting her knowledge into practice, she provides evidence-based technical assistance to states and local communities to help strengthen their performance outcomes.

Denise Hoffman is a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research and an affiliate of the Center for Studying Disability Policy. Her primary research interests include employment, program participation, health insurance, and housing for adults with disabilities. Among other research, she has used both quantitative and qualitative measures to assess the impact of several government-funded initiatives aimed at helping people with disabilities achieve employment, independence from government benefits, and other outcomes. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Further information about this talk, and a space for online discussion is available on the Methods Center website, here:

http://blogs.cam.abtassoc.com/MethodsCenters/?page_id=2953

Thursday July 10, 2014 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Locations

Capitol  Room, Bethesda; Ramp Room 3, Cambridge; and Hatteras Room, Durham

Telecommuters, please call in:

Domestic telecommuters: 1-888-446-7584

International telecommuters: 1-212-372-3742

Participant code:  8350358

To view the slides:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/732798833

Meeting ID: 732-798-833