Title
The role of evaluation in mental health
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1980
Abstract
Mental health evaluation is reviewed as a specialized branch of the field program evaluation. Historical influences on the field, current issues and techniques, and unique role requirements for the mental health evaluator are presented in a detailed review of the literature. Role demands and specific evaluation methods are described in relation to several actual and potential evaluator roles, including information monitor, summative judge of program worth, formative collaborator in program development, and change agent. Techniques reviewed include outcome measurement, goal-attainment scaling, cost- analytic procedures, epidemiology, ecological approaches, information systems, systems analysis, and peer review. The adoption of metaevaluation procedures to improve the utility of mental health evaluation efforts is advocated. © 1980, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Evaluation Review
Volume
4
Issue
4
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Stevenson, John F., and Richard H. Longabaugh. "The role of evaluation in mental health." Evaluation Review 4, 4 (1980): 461-480. doi: 10.1177/0193841X8000400403.