Evaluation in Mental Health Centers: Assessing the Hierarchical Model

This study presents a data-based examination of program evaluation in community mental health centers from two perspectives. First, survey data from 111 centers are analyzed according to a hierarchical model of evaluation performance proposed in previous research. Second, these data are reanalyzed using multidimensional scaling to examine empirical relationships among types of evaluation activities. Although evaluation patterns are consistent with the hierarchical model, the empirical model suggests important new relationships that refine prior conceptualizations. Results are discussed in the context of research on evaluation and professional issues for evaluators.