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On Equal Footing: The Importance of Baseline Equivalence in Measuring Program Effectiveness
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On Equal Footing: The Importance of Baseline Equivalence in Measuring Program Effectiveness

Home Visiting Programs OPRE Report #2014-50
Published: Aug 29, 2014
Publisher: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Human Services Early Childhood Systematic Evidence Reviews Policy Analysis

Associated Project

Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness Review

Time frame: 2009-2030

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Authors

Sarah A. Avellar

Jaime Thomas

To understand the effects of a program, researchers must distinguish effects caused by the program from those caused by other factors. This effort typically involves comparing outcomes for two groups. The similarity of the two groups before initiating program services is referred to as baseline equivalence. This brief explains the role of baseline equivalence when measuring a program’s effectiveness. 

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