ffi : l l Evaluation and Technology Assessment

o Why are empirical studies based on the methods of evaluation and technology assessment important to the successful implementation of information resources to improve health care? o What challenges make studies in informatics diflicult to carry out? How are these challenges addressed in practice? ¡ Why can all evaluations be classified as empirical studies? o What are the major assumptions underlying objectivist and subjectivist approaches to evaluation? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? I' o What are the factors that distinguish the three stages of technology assessment? . How does one distinguish measurement and demonstration aspects of objectivist studies, and why are both aspects necessary? o What steps are typically undertaken in a measurement study? What designs are typically used in demonstration studies? o What is the difference between cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses? How can investigators address issues of cost effectiveness and cost benefit of medical information resources? o What steps are followed in a subjectivist study? What techniques are employed by subjectivist investigators to ensure rigor and credibility of their frndings? . Why is communication between investigators and clients central to the success of any evaluation?