Evaluating Health Promotion: Practice and Methods

Health promotion is a newly emerging discipline, and health promoters are still grappling with the question of what are the appropriate methods to evaluate their activities. With increasing emphasis on cost-effectiveness and evidence-based health care, health promotion cannot ignore the demands for adequate evaluation. This practical guide for graduate, PG and practitioners of health promotion and public health describes methods by which health promotion can be evaluated. Practical examples are given and the book will help practitioners design and implement appropriate and informative evaluations.

Cristanna M. Cook

The editors of this book attempt to identify different methodologies appropriate in health promotion. These methodologies are known to anyone involved in evaluation, health promotion or otherwise. Content includes reviews of specific application of methodologies. "The purpose is to describe issues and questions facing those who want to evaluate health promotion. While the purpose is worthy, the presentation of methodologies and reviews of methodologies in practice are less than complete. Still, important issues and questions are identified even though explanations are limited. "It is difficult to determine who might use such a book. There are far more comprehensive books available that would apply to a field like health promotion although not dedicated specifically to the health promotion field. This book is purportedly about health promotion, but the issues and questions raised apply to other fields as well. The book seems appropriate for those with limited experience in evaluation research. "Methodologies are covered and examples are presented using some of the methods. The major premise is that researchers need to realize that both qualitative and quantitative methods are required. Evidently the editors feel that health researchers do not currently understand this need. However, in my experience, health researchers use any technique appropriate to help solve a problem. I feel that this issue is overplayed, perhaps only to justify another evaluation book. There is nothing unique in this book. Nevertheless, it is a good review of the issues and problems in evaluation research. Other books have said as much. The chapter on community evaluation is a weakness of the book,especially as important references and approaches are left out. "The book is written at an elementary level. It is pertinent to novices, as anyone who has carried out evaluation will be familiar with the contents anyway. The basic premise — the need for both qualitative and quantitative research — is not revolutionary or unknown to evaluation specialists.