ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses two elements of an evaluation design: defining the problem, and selecting a specific research design strategy. The design is based on the definition of the problem and the relative maturity of the service model and/or program. Environmental characteristics affect both the kinds of problems that families present to Family-Based Service (FBS) programs and the resources that workers have available to solve these problems. At the community level, successful FBS programs may have important effects on the attitudes of judges and legislators. Single-family or single-system studies provide data over time on a particular case. There are many different kinds of single-systems designs. Some involve the collection of data on multiple aspects of family functioning; others focus on the responses of individual parents or children to different kinds of treatment techniques; and others focus on responses to the termination and reintroduction of services. Group evaluation designs are more common than single-case designs for a reason.
