Which term best fits 'research conducted during program implementation to inform ongoing design'?

• A. Formative research
• B. Summative evaluation
• C. Process evaluation
• D. Experimental research

Answer: (A)

Formative research is information gathered during the development and early implementation of a program to shape and improve its design. The goal is to learn what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to be adjusted while the program is still being developed or rolled out, so that changes can be made in real time. This approach is focused on refinement and fit to the context, rather than judging outcomes after the fact.

This is why it best fits the description. It emphasizes gathering feedback from participants, providers, and the setting, testing components on a small scale, and making iterative changes to enhance feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness as the program evolves.

In contrast, summative evaluation looks at outcomes after the program ends to determine its overall impact; process evaluation examines how the program was implemented—fidelity, reach, and delivery quality—often to understand and improve implementation but not primarily to guide ongoing redesign; and experimental research centers on causal testing through controlled designs, not ongoing design refinement during implementation.