British Academy/Government Social Research Workshop on Evaluation. Case Study 4: Group Work trial Date: 12th July 2017 Presenter: Mark Langdon

Why are we testing Group Work Group Work (JOBS II) Why are we testing Group Work JOBS Supports employment and inoculates against & Rejuvenates Psychological Distress Tested via RCT in the USA (twice) and Finland Found +ve impact on employment and Psychological State. Sustained differences up to 2 years following participation. Also ‘tested’ in Ireland and China But how does it work? Careful design; the facilitators behaviours, structure to claimant day, shared problem solving, shared group experiences, job search skills and resilience building.

What can sink your trial? Resentment Bias Recognise Recruit Intervention Control Randomise A simple Parallel Designed RCT Selection Bias Innovation and Reactance Bias Challenge to equipoise Volition Fit with operational process

Addressing some of these issues, but not all… Resentment Bias A simple Zelen Designed RCT Control Reactance Bias Recognise Randomise Decline Recruit Offered Intervention Accept Selection Bias Innovation Bias Challenge to equipoise Programme Fit with operational process Volition

Questions for discussion… What steps have you taken to ensure successful trial delivery? What other factors have emerged in live running that have risked trial failure; how were these managed? What is the role for active trial management? What are your views on the importance of qualitative process evaluation?