The problem under investigation was the predictive value of a preschool screen. The subjects were 111 kindergartners. First, the need for a preschool screen was established. Second, the literature concerning other preschool devices was reviewed. Third, a specific screen was assessed in terms of validity. Fourth, a consideration of the predictive value of this screen in relation to scholastic achievement as indicated by the Metropolitan Readiness Test was made. A multiple regression analysis was performed, and the cross-validation of a number of prediction equations and cutoff scores was significant. Although statistical significance was achieved, high-risk youngsters could not be accurately identified. This research indicated that the instrument evaluated shows promise if refined by additional research.

The problem of this study was to evaluate Denton State School's Developmental Evaluation Form as it is now being used in their operant conditioning techniques in certain basic self-help areas, and to suggest a more effective and informative method of scoring the Evaluation Form. The present method of scoring this evaluation form requires that -all items at each developmental level be passed in order to receive credit for that level. No partial credit is given at any level. This method of scoring yields a developmental level at which. the individual is functioning. It does not, however, point out the total overall development of the individual. The present type of basal developmental scoring is not as discriminating as far as picturing an individual's total development as the one which will be suggested.

Complex social problems are at the forefront of our awareness. We are witnessing intensifying political, social and environmental challenges and waning confidence in our ability to engineer solutions. We are also seeing a proliferation of large scale, multi-agency interventions that seek change at the level of systems, and through which actors pursue adaptive learning as a means to develop effective solutions. Proponents assert that the prediction and control on which conventional program design and evaluation are based are not available under complex conditions. They propose instead that learning through experience in a program’s own context can create more responsive, impactful and sustainable interventions. These ideas offer a potentially transformative opportunity. However, they need to be complemented with a better understanding of implementation - the ‘ways of doing things’ that bring them to life. This study focused on developmental evaluation as an example of an adaptive learning (AL) approach for the development of innovative social interventions. The study was informed by ‘sensemaking’ theories and research in organizational learning, knowledge mobilization and program evaluation. Through an exploratory lens and a mixed methods design, this study sheds light on the role of specialized intermediaries in an AL process; how the role is performed in practice; and what this implies for adaptive learning in the domain of social interventions. The study documents how an intermediary can help actors navigate recognized challenges of developing interventions under complex and dynamic conditions. The findings have implications for how an AL process is understood and implemented. They provide an empirical contribution to an emerging field of study on the design of AL systems, to support future research and real-world practice as AL approaches become mainstream.

Development evaluation is a booming business often seen as a development activity in its own right. Yet, not every actor in the field engages with evaluation. This is primarily due to inadequacies in time, data, resources and expertise. These challenges are prevalent among small nonprofits that arguably stand most in need to appraise their extensive efforts. In an accountability-focused environment, these organizations not only fail to assess adequately the impact of their work but also to evaluate reflectively their structure and implementation process. In response, the sociology and international studies departments at Brigham Young University set up an internship that trains students in evaluation techniques and then contracts their services to nonprofits that struggle to systematically evaluate their programs. Data collected from the student-evaluators and nonprofits showed that the evaluations influenced the organizations by helping the personnel learn, reflect on, discuss, and adjust their programs. In addition to finding evidence of the factors, mechanisms, and change processes that influence an evaluation's effect, this study extends the conceptual models within the influence literature by outlining the enabling role of students in contexts with high capacity constraints.

Community coalitions are an important part of the public health milieu and thus subject to many of the same external pressures as public health organizations--including changes in required strategic orientation. Many funding agencies have shifted their funding agenda from program development to policy change. Thus, the Florida Prevention Research Center created the Community-Based Prevention Marketing for Policy Development framework to teach community coalitions how to apply social marketing to policy change. The dissertation research reported here was designed to explicate the framework's theory-of-change. The research question was: "What are the linkages and connections between CBPM inputs, activities, immediate outcomes, intermediate outcomes, and ultimate impacts?" The author implemented a case study design, with the case being a normative community coalition. The study adhered to a well-developed series of steps for system dynamics modeling. Results from model simulations show how gains in performance depend on a community coalition's initial culture and initial efficiency, and that only the most efficient coalitions may see benefits in coalition performance from implementing Community-Based Prevention Marketing for Policy Development. Theoretical implications for social marketers--e.g., real-world example of how to work `upstream'--and system dynamics modelers--e.g., application of generic structures--are discussed. Practical implications for the framework's developers--namely, the importance of managing the early expectations of framework adopters--are discussed as well.

Meeting observations, literature review, document analysis, and Delphi surveying are used within a “mixed methodology” to tease out emerging patterns of thought in an effort to provide an urban forestry coalition, “Trees for Life” with critical information that could be used to help shape future projects. The purpose of this research is to identify key themes to help direct future Trees for Life (TFL) projects, and to also recognize stakeholders and possible new players to establish more productive partnerships within the coalition. Specific barriers that impede the success of TFL are also outlined. Ecological degradation of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) watershed continues, despite the many initiatives carried out by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to protect and conserve ecosystem health. Social change is critical in addressing this issue. The TFL coalition is an umbrella group beneath Green Infrastructure Ontario (GIO), another coalition working towards establishing green infrastructure technologies and practices as required components of urban planning and development to address ecological degradation. This coalition is overseen by a steering committee that includes TRCA. The overarching goal of TFL is to increase tree canopy cover in the GTA to 40%. The TFL is comprised of several urban forestry groups, each with unique roles and perspectives, but all striving to achieve the 40% goal. This research will help TFL to build adaptive capacity and may lead to the adoption of adaptive environmental management techniques. Ultimately, this study will provide some valuable insight into TFL and other programs involved with enhancing social-ecological resilience of the TRCA and the GTA. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2014-01-22 11:53:22.196

Problématique : Le concept d’« Hôpital promoteur de santé » (HPS) a émergé dans le sillon de la Charte d’Ottawa (1986) qui plaide notamment pour une réorientation des services de santé vers des services plus promoteurs de santé. Il cible la santé des patients, du personnel, de la communauté et de l’organisation elle-même. Dans le cadre de la réforme du système de santé au Québec qui vise à rapprocher les services de la population et à faciliter le cheminement de toute personne au sein d’un réseau local de services de santé et de services sociaux (RLS), l’adoption du concept HPS semble constituer une fenêtre d’opportunité pour les CHU, désormais inclus dans des réseaux universitaires intégrés de soins de santé et rattachés aux RLS, pour opérer des changements organisationnels majeurs. Face au peu de données scientifiques sur l’implantation des dimensions des projets HPS, les établissements de santé ont besoin d’être accompagnés dans ce processus par le développement de stratégies claires et d’outils concrets pour soutenir l’implantation. Notre étude porte sur le premier CHU à Montréal qui a décidé d’adopter le concept et d’implanter notamment un projet pilote HPS au sein de son centre périnatal. Objectifs : Les objectifs de la thèse sont 1) d’analyser la théorie d’intervention du projet HPS au sein du centre périnatal; 2) d’analyser l’implantation du projet HPS et; 3) d’explorer l’intérêt de l’évaluation développementale pour appuyer le processus d’implantation. Méthodologie : Pour mieux comprendre l’implantation du projet HPS, nous avons opté pour une étude de cas qualitative. Nous avons d’abord analysé la théorie d’intervention, en procédant à une revue de la littérature dans le but d’identifier les caractéristiques du projet HPS ainsi que les conditions nécessaires à son implantation. En ce qui concerne l’analyse d’implantation, notre étude de cas unique a intégré deux démarches méthodologiques : l’une visant à apprécier le niveau d’implantation et l’autre, à analyser les facteurs facilitants et les contraintes. Enfin, nous avons exploré l’intérêt d’une évaluation développementale pour appuyer le processus d’implantation. À partir d’un échantillonnage par choix raisonnés, les données de l’étude de cas ont été collectées auprès d’informateurs clés, des promoteurs du projet HPS, des gestionnaires, des professionnels et de couples de patients directement concernés par l’implantation du projet HPS au centre périnatal. Une analyse des documents de projet a été effectuée et nous avons procédé à une observation participante dans le milieu. Résultats : Le premier article sur l’analyse logique présente les forces et les faiblesses de la mise en oeuvre du projet HPS au centre périnatal et offre une meilleure compréhension des facteurs susceptibles d’influencer l’implantation. Le second article apprécie le niveau d’implantation des quatre dimensions du projet HPS. Grâce à la complémentarité des différentes sources utilisées, nous avons réussi à cerner les réussites globales, les activités partiellement implantées ou en cours d’implantation et les activités reposant sur une théorie d’intervention inadéquate. Le troisième article met en évidence l’influence des caractéristiques de l’intervention, des contextes externe et interne, des caractéristiques individuelles sur le processus d’implantation à partir du cadre d’analyse de l’implantation développé par Damschroder et al. (2009). Enfin, le dernier article présente les défis rencontrés par la chercheure dans sa tentative d’utilisation de l’évaluation développementale et propose des solutions permettant d’anticiper les difficultés liées à l’intégration des exigences de recherche et d’utilisation. Conclusion : Cette thèse contribue à enrichir la compréhension de l’implantation du projet HPS dans les établissements de santé et, particulièrement, en contexte périnatal. Les résultats obtenus sont intéressants pour les chercheurs et les gestionnaires d’hôpitaux ou d’établissements de santé qui souhaitent implanter ou évaluer les projets HPS dans leurs milieux. / Problem: The concept of health promoting hospitals (HPH) emerged in the wake of the 1986 Ottawa Charter, which notably calls for the reorientation of health services toward more health promoting services. The concept targets the health of patients, staff, the community and the organization itself. In the context of Quebec’s health system reform that aims to bring services closer to the population and facilitates the journey of any person within a local network of health and social services (RLS), the adoption of the HPH concept appears to be a window of opportunity for teaching hospitals, now included in integrated university health care networks (RUIS) and linked to RLS, to carry out major organizational changes. Given the paucity of evidence regarding implementation of the different dimensions of HPH projects, there is a need for health care facilities to be accompanied in this process through the development of clear-cut strategies and practical tools in order to support implementation. Our study will focus on the first university hospital in Montreal that decided to adopt the concept and implement a HPH pilot project within its perinatal centre. Objectives: The objectives of this thesis are 1) to analyse the intervention theory underlying the HPH project; 2) to analyse the implementation of the HPH project; and 3) to explore the potential of developmental evaluation as a means of supporting the implementation process. Methods: To better understand the implementation of the HPS project, we opted for a qualitative case study. We first analyzed the theory of intervention by conducting a literature review in order to identify the characteristics of an HPS project as well as the conditions necessary for its implementation. Then, as regards the implementation analysis, our single case study had two methodological approaches: one to assess the level of implementation and the other to analyze facilitators and barriers to implementation. Finally, we explored the interest of using developmental evaluation to support the implementation process. Based on purposeful sampling, data of the case study were collected from key informants, HPH project promoters, managers, professionals and couples of patients directly concerned by the HPH project implementation in the perinatal centre. A documentary analysis of project documents has been done and participant observation was conducted in the setting. Results: The first article is about a logical analysis that presents the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the HPH project within the birthing centre, and offers a deeper comprehension of the factors likely to influence implementation. The second article assesses the level of implementation of the four dimensions of the HPH project. The complementarity of the different sources used allowed us to identify global successes, activities that were implemented only partially or still in the process of implementation, and activities that were based on an inadequate intervention theory. The third article shows the influence of intervention characteristics, outer and inner settings, and individual characteristics upon the implementation process, using the consolidated framework for implementation research developed by Damschroder et al. (2009). The fourth and final article highlights the challenges encountered by the researcher in attempting to use developmental evaluation, and puts forth solutions that will enable researchers to anticipate the difficulties that can emerge from integrating the demands of research and of utilization. Conclusion: This thesis contributes to the understanding of HPH project implementation in health care facilities, particularly within a perinatal care context. The results we have obtained are of interest to researchers as well as hospital or health care facility administrators who wish to implement or evaluate HPH projects.

Problématique : Le concept d’« Hôpital promoteur de santé » (HPS) a émergé dans le sillon de la Charte d’Ottawa (1986) qui plaide notamment pour une réorientation des services de santé vers des services plus promoteurs de santé. Il cible la santé des patients, du personnel, de la communauté et de l’organisation elle-même. Dans le cadre de la réforme du système de santé au Québec qui vise à rapprocher les services de la population et à faciliter le cheminement de toute personne au sein d’un réseau local de services de santé et de services sociaux (RLS), l’adoption du concept HPS semble constituer une fenêtre d’opportunité pour les CHU, désormais inclus dans des réseaux universitaires intégrés de soins de santé et rattachés aux RLS, pour opérer des changements organisationnels majeurs. Face au peu de données scientifiques sur l’implantation des dimensions des projets HPS, les établissements de santé ont besoin d’être accompagnés dans ce processus par le développement de stratégies claires et d’outils concrets pour soutenir l’implantation. Notre étude porte sur le premier CHU à Montréal qui a décidé d’adopter le concept et d’implanter notamment un projet pilote HPS au sein de son centre périnatal. Objectifs : Les objectifs de la thèse sont 1) d’analyser la théorie d’intervention du projet HPS au sein du centre périnatal; 2) d’analyser l’implantation du projet HPS et; 3) d’explorer l’intérêt de l’évaluation développementale pour appuyer le processus d’implantation. Méthodologie : Pour mieux comprendre l’implantation du projet HPS, nous avons opté pour une étude de cas qualitative. Nous avons d’abord analysé la théorie d’intervention, en procédant à une revue de la littérature dans le but d’identifier les caractéristiques du projet HPS ainsi que les conditions nécessaires à son implantation. En ce qui concerne l’analyse d’implantation, notre étude de cas unique a intégré deux démarches méthodologiques : l’une visant à apprécier le niveau d’implantation et l’autre, à analyser les facteurs facilitants et les contraintes. Enfin, nous avons exploré l’intérêt d’une évaluation développementale pour appuyer le processus d’implantation. À partir d’un échantillonnage par choix raisonnés, les données de l’étude de cas ont été collectées auprès d’informateurs clés, des promoteurs du projet HPS, des gestionnaires, des professionnels et de couples de patients directement concernés par l’implantation du projet HPS au centre périnatal. Une analyse des documents de projet a été effectuée et nous avons procédé à une observation participante dans le milieu. Résultats : Le premier article sur l’analyse logique présente les forces et les faiblesses de la mise en oeuvre du projet HPS au centre périnatal et offre une meilleure compréhension des facteurs susceptibles d’influencer l’implantation. Le second article apprécie le niveau d’implantation des quatre dimensions du projet HPS. Grâce à la complémentarité des différentes sources utilisées, nous avons réussi à cerner les réussites globales, les activités partiellement implantées ou en cours d’implantation et les activités reposant sur une théorie d’intervention inadéquate. Le troisième article met en évidence l’influence des caractéristiques de l’intervention, des contextes externe et interne, des caractéristiques individuelles sur le processus d’implantation à partir du cadre d’analyse de l’implantation développé par Damschroder et al. (2009). Enfin, le dernier article présente les défis rencontrés par la chercheure dans sa tentative d’utilisation de l’évaluation développementale et propose des solutions permettant d’anticiper les difficultés liées à l’intégration des exigences de recherche et d’utilisation. Conclusion : Cette thèse contribue à enrichir la compréhension de l’implantation du projet HPS dans les établissements de santé et, particulièrement, en contexte périnatal. Les résultats obtenus sont intéressants pour les chercheurs et les gestionnaires d’hôpitaux ou d’établissements de santé qui souhaitent implanter ou évaluer les projets HPS dans leurs milieux. / Problem: The concept of health promoting hospitals (HPH) emerged in the wake of the 1986 Ottawa Charter, which notably calls for the reorientation of health services toward more health promoting services. The concept targets the health of patients, staff, the community and the organization itself. In the context of Quebec’s health system reform that aims to bring services closer to the population and facilitates the journey of any person within a local network of health and social services (RLS), the adoption of the HPH concept appears to be a window of opportunity for teaching hospitals, now included in integrated university health care networks (RUIS) and linked to RLS, to carry out major organizational changes. Given the paucity of evidence regarding implementation of the different dimensions of HPH projects, there is a need for health care facilities to be accompanied in this process through the development of clear-cut strategies and practical tools in order to support implementation. Our study will focus on the first university hospital in Montreal that decided to adopt the concept and implement a HPH pilot project within its perinatal centre. Objectives: The objectives of this thesis are 1) to analyse the intervention theory underlying the HPH project; 2) to analyse the implementation of the HPH project; and 3) to explore the potential of developmental evaluation as a means of supporting the implementation process. Methods: To better understand the implementation of the HPS project, we opted for a qualitative case study. We first analyzed the theory of intervention by conducting a literature review in order to identify the characteristics of an HPS project as well as the conditions necessary for its implementation. Then, as regards the implementation analysis, our single case study had two methodological approaches: one to assess the level of implementation and the other to analyze facilitators and barriers to implementation. Finally, we explored the interest of using developmental evaluation to support the implementation process. Based on purposeful sampling, data of the case study were collected from key informants, HPH project promoters, managers, professionals and couples of patients directly concerned by the HPH project implementation in the perinatal centre. A documentary analysis of project documents has been done and participant observation was conducted in the setting. Results: The first article is about a logical analysis that presents the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the HPH project within the birthing centre, and offers a deeper comprehension of the factors likely to influence implementation. The second article assesses the level of implementation of the four dimensions of the HPH project. The complementarity of the different sources used allowed us to identify global successes, activities that were implemented only partially or still in the process of implementation, and activities that were based on an inadequate intervention theory. The third article shows the influence of intervention characteristics, outer and inner settings, and individual characteristics upon the implementation process, using the consolidated framework for implementation research developed by Damschroder et al. (2009). The fourth and final article highlights the challenges encountered by the researcher in attempting to use developmental evaluation, and puts forth solutions that will enable researchers to anticipate the difficulties that can emerge from integrating the demands of research and of utilization. Conclusion: This thesis contributes to the understanding of HPH project implementation in health care facilities, particularly within a perinatal care context. The results we have obtained are of interest to researchers as well as hospital or health care facility administrators who wish to implement or evaluate HPH projects.