Nathan Stephens - Redressing the ‘gold standard’ for evaluating complex interventions

Nathan Stephens narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this blog Nathan discusses brings forward a debate in the area of evaluating complex interventions. Traditional linear outcome orientated methods of evaluation rooted in positivistic assumptions, such as many standalone RCTs, while providing high levels of rigour, fail to capture emergent outcomes which are the “hallmark of complex programs”. However, the popular opinion that RCTs are the ‘gold standard’ is quickly being redressed, especially for the evaluation of social programmes and even policy change. Traditional techniques have there merits and are defensible choice, but not the ‘best’!

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-redressing-the-gold-standard-for-evaluating-complex-interventions/

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Nathan Stephens is a PhD Student and unpaid carer, working on his PhD at University of Worcester, studying the Worcestershire Meeting Centres Community Support Programme. Inspired by caring for both grandparents and personal experience of dementia, Nathan has gone from a BSc in Sports & Physical Education, an MSc in Public Health, and now working on his PhD.

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This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.