What is an evidence-based program and why is it important?
An evidence-based program is one that has been evaluated in one or more research studies. For example, Media Ready has been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the most stringent test of the effectiveness of an intervention. This means that schools were randomly assigned to receive the MR training and program (intervention group) or not (control group). Students in both groups completed a pre-test and post-test questionnaire; however, the intervention group was taught the MR program in between questionnaire administrations and the control group was taught their usual classroom material. Because this RCT design was used, differences between youth in the intervention versus the control groups at post-test can be said to be caused by having participated in the MR program . The use of this design is important because it can be concluded that the program is, in fact, effective, given that its implementation replicates or copies the procedures used in the original study. This d
