Process evaluation

We will formally measure the impact of the interventions in the Choice Disability trial based on analysis of the follow up survey conducted in late 2012. We have also carried out intervention research during the trial, conducting a process evaluation in late 2011 and early 2012.

For the process evaluation, we have used an adaptation of the Most Significant Change technique, described by Rick Davies. The Most Significant Change (MSC) technique is a participatory qualitative method, using stories from people involved in an intervention to identify the impacts, both intended and unexpected, on communities and individuals. It is particularly relevant for monitoring and evaluating complex interventions.

We used the MSC technique to evaluate, qualitatively, two of the interventions in the Choice Disability trial: the BVV intervention and the FW intervention. The MSC process generated important information about how these interventions were working. It also provided us with a wealth of stories from people in the trial communities, vividly describing their lives and the changes they attributed to the trial interventions. The research team have been greatly encouraged and motivated by hearing and reflecting on these stories.

• Using the MSC technique for evaluating the interventions
• Voices from the communities