Improving Program Evaluation: Comparison of Intervention Strategies

A national study of two intervention strategies to improve evaluation was conducted in 131 community mental health centers (CMHCs) in nineteen states. Four randomly assigned comparison groups were compared by means of pre- and postintervention data from telephone interviews and mailed questionnaires. The intervention strategies-both based on theories of collaboration and ownership but differing with respect to the nature and timing of the activities-were shown to increase actual and planned use of an evaluation resource book. Possible future research on these intervention strategies is discussed in light of the changing role of program evaluation in CMHCs.