ERIC Number: EJ1060714
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jun
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-2140
EISSN: N/A
Does My Program Really Make a Difference? Program Evaluation Utilizing Aggregate Single-Subject Data
Burns, Catherine E.
American Journal of Evaluation, v36 n2 p191-203 Jun 2015
In the current climate of increasing fiscal and clinical accountability, information is required about overall program effectiveness using clinical data. These requests present a challenge for programs utilizing single-subject data due to the use of highly individualized behavior plans and behavioral monitoring. Subsequently, the diversity of the client-specific programming does not yield data that are easily aggregated to inform program evaluations for effectiveness. This issue was addressed in one New England community mental health center providing school-based treatment for youth with significant emotional and behavioral disorders. After developing a behavior categorization system, behavior analysts reported client-specific behavioral progress into a main database. Aggregate data were then analyzed to provide information about overall program effectiveness using two reporting measures. The utility of aggregated single-subject data to inform clinical practice, clients, and program stakeholders is discussed.
Descriptors: Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Data Analysis, Research Design, Community Health Services, Mental Health Programs, Emotional Disturbances, Behavior Disorders, Youth Programs, Progress Monitoring, Behavior Modification, Outcomes of Treatment, Classification, Individualized Programs, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A