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Methodological Quality Standards for Evaluation Research

Author

Listed:
  • David P. Farrington

    (Cambridge University; Campbell Collaboration Crime and Justice Group; Academy of Experimental Criminology)

Abstract

Evaluation studies vary in methodological quality. It is essential to develop methodological quality standards for evaluation research that can be understood and easily used by scholars, practitioners, policy makers, the mass media, and systematic reviewers. This article proposes that such standards should be based on statistical conclusion validity, internal validity, construct validity, external validity, and descriptive validity. Methodological quality scales are reviewed, and it is argued that efforts should be made to improve them. Pawson and Tilley's challenge to the Campbell evaluation tradition is also assessed. It is concluded that this challenge does not have any implications for methodological quality standards, because the Campbell tradition already emphasizes the need to study moderators and mediators in evaluation research.

Suggested Citation

  • David P. Farrington, 2003. "Methodological Quality Standards for Evaluation Research," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 587(1), pages 49-68, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:587:y:2003:i:1:p:49-68
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716202250789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David P. Farrington & Anthony Petrosino, 2001. "The Campbell Collaboration Crime and Justice Group," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 578(1), pages 35-49, November.
    2. David Weisburd & Cynthia M. Lum & Anthony Petrosino, 2001. "Does Research Design Affect Study Outcomes in Criminal Justice?," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 578(1), pages 50-70, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cynthia McDougall & Mark A. Cohen & Raymond Swaray & Amanda Perry, 2003. "The Costs and Benefits of Sentencing: A Systematic Review," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 587(1), pages 160-177, May.
    2. Ciula, Raffaele, 2022. "The effects of Bolsa Familia on human development: systematic review approach," MPRA Paper 116768, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. David P. Farrington, 2003. "British Randomized Experiments on Crime and Justice," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 589(1), pages 150-167, September.
    4. David Weisburd & Cynthia M. Lum & Sue-Ming Yang, 2003. "When can we Conclude that Treatments or Programs “Don’t Work†?," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 587(1), pages 31-48, May.
    5. Anthony Petrosino, 2003. "Standards for Evidence and Evidence for Standards: The Case of School-Based Drug Prevention," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 587(1), pages 180-207, May.

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