EVALUATION OF WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IN THORNY NONEXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS

Nonexperimental program evaluations are performed under numerous const raints that require a judicious blend of theory, attention to data qua lity, and judgment. This paper describes the conceptual and measuremen t issues that arise while evaluating nonresidential water conservation programs implemented during a drought in the absence of a true contro l group. Sensitivity analysis techniques are presented to assess the i mpact of the drought on comparisons of preprogram and postprogram wate r consumption.