What are the best ways to evaluate peer support research?

1 Define your purpose

Before you start your evaluation, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. What are the goals and objectives of your peer support program or project? Who are the intended beneficiaries and stakeholders? How will you use the evaluation results to improve your practice, inform policy, or advocate for change? Defining your purpose will help you choose the most appropriate methods, indicators, and tools for your evaluation.

2 Choose a participatory approach

One of the core values of peer support is participation, which means involving the people who are directly affected by the issue or intervention in the decision-making and implementation process. A participatory approach to evaluation also respects this value, by engaging peer supporters, peer recipients, and other relevant stakeholders in the design, conduct, and analysis of the evaluation. This way, you can ensure that the evaluation is relevant, responsive, and respectful of the diverse perspectives and experiences of the peer support community.

3 Select a mixed-methods design

Peer support is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that cannot be fully captured by quantitative or qualitative methods alone. A mixed-methods design, which combines both types of data and analysis, can provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the outcomes and processes of peer support. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, case studies, or stories to collect and analyze data on the changes, benefits, challenges, and mechanisms of peer support.

4 Align with peer support principles

Another important aspect of evaluating peer support research is to align your evaluation with the principles and practices of peer support itself. For instance, you can use a strengths-based approach, which focuses on the assets, capacities, and potentials of the peer support participants, rather than their deficits, problems, or needs. You can also use a recovery-oriented approach, which emphasizes the personal and social dimensions of recovery, such as hope, empowerment, identity, and meaning. Moreover, you can use a trauma-informed approach, which recognizes the impact of trauma on the lives of many peer support participants, and promotes safety, trust, choice, and collaboration.

5 Adapt to the context

Finally, you need to consider the context and culture of your peer support intervention and evaluation. Peer support can take many forms and shapes, depending on the needs, preferences, and resources of the people involved. For example, peer support can be delivered face-to-face or online, individually or in groups, formally or informally, by trained or untrained peers. Similarly, your evaluation should be flexible and adaptable to the specific characteristics and circumstances of your peer support program or project. You should also be sensitive and respectful of the diversity and inclusion of the peer support participants, and avoid any assumptions, biases, or stereotypes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?