INTRODUCING NEW STAKEHOLDERS USER AND RESEARCHER INTERESTS IN EVALUATIVE RESEARCH - A DISCUSSION OF METHODS USED TO EVALUATE THE BIRMINGHAM-COMMUNITY-CARE-SPECIAL-ACTION-PROJECT

This paper argues that public service evaluation should be considered a value-driven activity which has the objective of contributing to change. Researchers undertaking this type of work have legitimate interests to pursue through it and should be regarded as stakeholders in their own right. Reflecting a commitment to changing the balance of power between those who provide and those who receive services, the interests of service users as stakeholders should be enhanced through the research process. This requires a different type of relationship between the researcher and research 'subjects'. An attempt to put these principles in practice in the context of the evaluation of a major initiative to enable users to have their say in the development of community care services is described.