Document the implementation context and measure the intervention-control contrast¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The guide directs researchers to 'document the context in which the intervention is implemented' and to 'measure the difference between the intervention and what members of the control group receive'. Together these strategies situate impact estimates by recording setting conditions and quantifying the contrast in services actually experienced by treatment and control groups.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Impact studies must collect information on setting context and on the services received by control group members.

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• Education researchers conducting impact studies

Target Learning Goals¶

• Document implementation context and quantify the treatment-control difference in services received

Related Strategies¶

• Assess whether and how the planned intervention is implemented
• Link implementation and impact findings when analyzing and reporting impact studies
• Specify implementation research questions as a distinct step in impact study design

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Hill, C. J., Scher, L., Haimson, J., & Granito, K. (2023). Conducting Implementation Research in Impact Studies of Education Interventions: A Guide for Researchers. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/