Viable methods for evaluation of community-based rehabilitation programmes

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to discuss some viable and practically feasible methods for evaluation of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes in developing country settings. Method: Based on review of literature the role of qualitative approaches for evaluation of CBR programmes are analysed. Results: Aspects of the qualitative paradigm are discussed. The specific qualitative methods of case studies, focus groups, nominal groups, participatory techniques, content analysis, and key informant interviews are deliberated. Conclusions: Viable alternatives to the qualitative paradigm offer promise in evaluation of CBR programmes. Issues in qualitative designing, sampling, data collection, analysis, and interpretation are discussed. The classical, quantitative paradigm needs to be complemented with viable qualitative methods for evaluation of CBR programmes.