Conducting a therapeutic community training experiment in Peru: Research design and implementation issues

Young, L.; Johnson, K.W.; and Bryant, D.

Journal of Social Work Research

As social policy issues increasingly cross international borders, researchers must confront additional and less familiar challenges in designing and evaluating social programs, training, and technical assistance initiatives in other countries. This article examines inherent challenges for U.S.-based researchers in conducting training evaluations in another country, specifically Peru. It also presents lessons learned during the implementation process that have implications for similar studies. Using a social policy experiment conducted in Peru as a case study, this article presents relevant research design and implementation experiences that focus on four central issues: (a) establishing and nurturing collaborative relationships and partnerships with key actors in the host county; (b) developing and translating data collection instruments; (c) implementing a true experimental design; and (d) considering ethical matters for conducting research within the social, economic, and political reality of the host country.