Kumar-2011-Research-Methodology_-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-for-Beginners

Chapter 18: Research Methodology and Practice Evaluation 327
Intervention–development–evaluation process
To understand the evaluation process for an intervention, it is important that you also know
how it is linked to the development of an intervention. The intervention–development–
evaluation process is divided into four phases (Figure 18.2):
1 needs assessment;
2 intervention/programme development;
3 intervention/programme execution;
4 intervention/programme evaluation.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Needs
assessment
Development of
programme aims
Development of
programme
objectives
Development of
strategies to achieve
objectives
Development of
activities to
achieve strategies
Providing services/
activities
Services result
in outputs
Outputs
determine
outcomes
Process evaluation
Outcome evaluation
Phase 3 Phase 4
Figure 18.2
The intervention–development–evaluation model
The development of an intervention usually starts with an assessment of the needs of a
community, group or people living in a geographical area (phase 1). Based upon the needs,
the aims and objectives for a programme are developed to meet these needs, which in turn
become the basis of developing a conceptual intervention programme. This conceptual construction
is primarily based on previous experiences, understanding of the problem area,
knowledge about how others have dealt with the problem in other places and/or opinion
of experts in the area. In the development of this conceptual model, particular attention is
given to the formulation of strategies to achieve the objectives of the programme. Next, the
precise activities needed to achieve these strategies are identified. Procedures for undertaking
these activities are then drawn up. These activities and procedures constitute the contents
of a programme (phase 2). Of course, they may need to be streamlined, modified or otherwise
changed in the light of experience. Sometimes, a conceptual–intervention model is first