Evaluation research is often conducted to assess how goals and initiatives, set forth by a group, are actually being achieved. Evaluation research is usually conducted "after the fact" to understand the impact of changes and to inform policies and practices that guide an organization or other groups and their environments.

Evaluation research is devoted to the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of information concerning the need, design, implementation, and impact of public policy. (The Public Policy Web ©by Wayne Hayes, Ph.D., ®ProfWork, July 15, 2001)

At the MGH there have been many examples of evaluation research. The most familiar is the "Staff's Perception of the Professional Practice Environment" survey. This evaluation is conducted by the MGH leadership on a regular basis from each provider of care, across disciplines. The goal is to assess how staff perceive working at the MGH around eight organizational characteristics including: autonomy, clinician/MD relationships, control over practice, communication, teamwork/leadership, conflict management, internal motivation and cultural sensitivity. Results of this evaluation are compared to data from previous years and changes are made or improvements are sustained based on these findings. Over time, trends are monitored based upon responses to the survey and thus provide continued evidence for practice and organizational innovation and improvements.

Professional Practice Environment (PPE) Scale