ABSTRACT
The main goal of an evaluation study and related measurements is to establish the true relationship between intervention and outcome. If the number of subjects who meet the selection criteria is large, researchers should choose a subset (sample) for the study. The major goal of HIT evaluation research is to explain the patterns of outcome and informatics intervention. For each measurement in the study, the evaluator needs to check and apply strategies to increase precision, such as using the standard measurement method, training observers and staff, automating the measurement instrument, refining the measurement instrument, and performing repetitive measurements. The relationship between intervention and outcome could be affected by a number of factors, and the two most important are bias and confounding. Outcome measurements in health IT evaluation studies involve multiple dimensions and stakeholders with the ultimate goal of producing evidence for decision-making.
