FINDING COMMON GROUND - ON THE MARRIAGE OF EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS

In recent years, some federal agencies that fund demonstration researc h have required increasingly greater rigor with regard to study design and evaluation. The lines between research and demonstration programs have become blurred Although a shift to a more research-oriented para digm has considerable merit, it also should be acknowledged that many aspects of demonstration programs pose challenges for evaluators. A fu ndamental question is whether the program drives evaluation or the eva luation drives the program Other relevant issues include lack of clari ty regarding the relation between program and evaluation, professional gaps between research and program staff, lack of perceived benefit fo r evaluation on the part of staff and clients, and community distrust of evaluators and research. Potential solutions offered include improv ing communication and trust between program staff research personnel, and clients; enabling program staff to use evaluation data as a clinic al tool; and increasing the number of positive indicators assessed.