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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?