Fidelity

Fidelity is a term used to describe the extent to which an evidence-based intervention is delivered in line with the original model that was found to be effective. If the intervention is not being delivered with fidelity, it may not be realistic to expect the same types of outcomes found in the original research. We do not know yet which components of evidence-based practices are actually the main ingredients that produce the positive change, and therefore which ones can be weakened or dropped to still have the same intervention. This is a new frontier of research that is of particular of interest to administrators that often need to adapt interventions for particular groups or geographic areas without the benefit of research to support such adaptations.

Fixsen and colleagues (2005) again have an excellent discussion on fidelity resulting from their review of the literature on implementation (p.47). They point out that measures fall into three categories: contextual, compliance, and competence; provide examples of the various types of measures; and describe the processes of measuring fidelity.

References

Fixsen, D., Naoom, S.F., Blase, K., Friedman, R.M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL : University of South Florida , Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network.