Jj. Platt et al., UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR SUBSTANCE USER TREATMENT RESEARCH - AN EXAMPLE FROM GERMANY FOR THE UNITED-STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES, Substance use & misuse, 31(4), 1996, pp. 479-492
It is only through reasoned, accurate treatment evaluation research th
at its effectiveness can be assessed. The value of these data can be l
imited, however, by variability of methods and noncomparability of dat
a, This is not the case, however, in other western countries. Germany
has developed and is using a set of research and publication standards
which speak to many of these deficiencies. These standards, described
here in some detail, can serve as a model for regular, uniform, and u
niversal data collection, thus allowing for some meaningful comparison
s and assessments of in-situ treatment and the individuals receiving i
t.