This article examines formative and process evaluations, providing three examples that provide information about program operations, implementation, research capacity, resources, and victim populations serve, as well as offering guidance for future evaluations.
This article discusses two types of evaluations for gathering data and information needed in order to determine whether a program works, as well as for whom and how a program works. The two types of evaluations presented in this article are formative and process evaluations, followed by a discussion of three formative and process evaluations that were funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) that examined technology-based victim service programs. The article begins by providing detailed definitions and discussion of formative evaluations and process evaluations. It then discusses three NIJ-funded studies: evaluation of technology-based advocacy services; evaluation of a technology-based behavioral health program; and an evaluation of referral and helpline services. Findings from these studies will hopefully give policymakers, funding organizations, and other stakeholders with valuable information about victim service program operations, implementation, research capacity, resources, and victim populations served.