Research
Local authorities and other organizations which provide parenting education and support services are interested in the effects of those services. Are the programmes realizing their objectives? Answering this question requires research which focuses on the results and outcomes of the measures.
In most cases, authorities will conduct or commission scientific research into the (quantifiable) effects of the programme. Persons other than the programme designers or implementation staff must then collect and analyse the relevant data. Usually, this will be undertaken by an external organization such as a university or research institute. The data gathering process must be conducted very carefully in order to ensure the reliability and validity of the research findings.
In 2004, the British Department for Education and Skills published a report entitled 'What Works in Parenting Support? A Review of the International Evidence', by P. Moran, D. Ghate and A. van der Merwe. The report, a summary and the underlying database used in the research can be accessed online at www.prb.org.uk/wwiparenting.
The factors which characterize successful interventions have also been identified by Kumpfer and Alvarado in their research project, Principles of Effective Family-focused Interventions. In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Institute for Care and Welfare is currently developing a database of effective interventions www.jeugdinterventies.nl.
The exact nature of third-party research and evaluations has itself been the subject of countless studies and scientific discussion. Further information is to be found on the Internet, try for example 'Parent education and research' in Google! The important factor is that scientific research and (internal) evaluations can identify ways in which the quality of the interventions can be improved. That quality will then enable parents to provide a safe and nurturing environment which promotes and stimulates their children's development.
