SERENDIPITY AND PSEUDOSCIENCE - A LOOK AT HEALTH-RELATED PROGRAM-EVALUATION

This article presents a discussion of the pitfalls of sloppy science a s it is applied to the evaluation of human service programs. The diffe rences are examined between use of the scientific method and trial-and -error approaches to assessment. The major requirement for sound resea rch are presented, as are the pitfalls and shortcomings associated wit h a less rigorous approach.