Gauging Alignments

An Ethnographically Informed Method for Process Evaluation in a Community-Based Intervention

Abstract

Community-based projects feature multidimensional interventions and interactions within unpredictable contexts. Process evaluations can shed light on variability in outcomes across sites and the reasons why some project outcomes fall short of expectations. The authors present an ethnographically informed study of the interactive project components in a pilot community-based falls prevention project that was implemented in 4 communities across Canada. Ethnographic descriptions and analyses of alignments between multilevelled project components allowed the researchers to better understand the mechanisms of project evolution at each site and variations in project momentum, mobilization, and sustainability across sites. Primary data sources consisted of project teleconference transcripts triangulated with log notes, field notes, and interviews. Descriptions and analyses of alignments may be instrumental to process evaluation. Project adjustments could then be made accordingly in propelling progress toward program objectives, informing program decisions, and in making sense of variability in program outcomes. Further exploration and operationalization of the alignment concept is recommended to advance knowledge about how to conduct process evaluations of complex interventions.