A participatory methodology for the evaluation of innovation in the context of the integrated pre‐school services

This paper describes a longitudinal and ecological evaluation methodology which features the involvement of those responsible for implementing the innovation being evaluated. The methodology is based on the assumption that objective research in the scientific tradition is inappropriate where the innovation is multi‐dimensional. In the context of integrated provision for pre‐five children a range of key professionals and parents took an active part in the evaluation in an advisory capacity from the planning stage to the scrutiny of draft reports. The methodology highlights critical issues relating to inter‐professional liaison, confidentiality, feedback of data, the relationship between evaluators and innovators and the training of nursery staff in evaluation techniques.