| Session Title: Adapting Qualitative Techniques to Enhance Your Quantitative Evaluations of Community Based Health Interventions |
| Demonstration Session 373 to be held in Room 102 in the Convention Center on Thursday, Nov 6, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Health Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Julie Reeder, Oregon Women, Infants, and Children Program, julie.a.reeder@state.or.us |
| Abstract: Evaluations of large scale community health interventions tend to rely on quantitative measures to determine program effectiveness. Yet, a quantitative understanding alone is rarely adequate for creating new health promotion campaigns or revising existing services. In this demonstration, we will explore how qualitative techniques can be adapted to fit large, community based interventions or other situations where sample sizes or available resources limit the ability to conduct multiple, in-person interviews. Specifically, we will see how the principles of Phenomenology and Grounded Theory were modified to help bring greater meaning to a largely quantitative evaluation of breastfeeding support. In addition, we will debate how much a technique can be modified and still be considered true to the method. Finally, we will discuss strategies for increasing stakeholder and funder acceptance of qualitative techniques as well as ways for incorporating this approach into a greater number of health program evaluations. |