There is no shortage of guidance for designing and delivering evaluations. However, the published literature of empirical studies demonstrates that pre-emptive measures do not always prevent common problems arising; there are many reasons for this. Evaluation approaches need to take this into account, and also allow evaluators to identify problems when they arise and respond effectively.
This mini-masterclass will present a project funded by The Health Foundation and coordinated by the Q Community’s Evaluation Special Interest Group (SIG) to bring together the worlds of Quality improvement (QI) and evaluation. It will introduce findings from evidence reviews, virtual study groups, stakeholder consultations and a workshop.
The session will describe how we recognised the key problems that can arise during real-world evaluation and sought to develop guidance to identify and address these problems. Whilst focused on the specific tensions between QI and evaluation, many of the key messages apply to evaluating other types of innovations.
Bio
Dr Steven Ariss is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Health and Related Research(ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield, where he leads Knowledge Exchange activities for Health Services Research. He has a background in Sociology and Health Studies. His Doctorate study at the University of York used conversation Analysis to explore frequent attendance in general practice. However, in 2006, whilst working for the Bradford Dementia group, he became involved in the local and national evaluation of the Partnerships for Older People Programme, and has since specialised in the application and development of complex evaluation approaches. As an evaluator and applied health researcher Steven has interests in the use of mixed-methods for Real-World Evaluation of innovations, interventions, programmes and policies. He specialises in organisational and system change; working closely with stakeholders to co-design, implement, evaluate and scale-up health service innovations, including digital health technologies, workforce change and pathway design. He also teaches Real-World Evaluation, including the application of complexity science and theory-based evaluation methodologies; with a concern for how context influences human behaviour, resulting in diverse, yet predictable outcomes.
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/people/staff/steven-ariss
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