The Importance of Understanding Dosage When Evaluating Parenting Programs: Lessons from a Pilot Study

Abstract

As government resources for community programs diminish, it is vital that Cooperative Extension make greater efforts to show program efficacy. Assessing the appropriate amount of an intervention optimal for reaching desired outcomes can help inform program development and provide for a more efficient use of limited resources. The current pilot study (funded by CYFAR, NIFA, USDA award #2008-41520-04810) focuses on dosage and its effect on outcomes in parenting education delivered in four states.

Keywords

• evaluation
• program evaluation
• parenting
• common measures
• dosage