Approaches to Evaluation: Social Area Analysis

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Abstract
Modern social area analysis, as presented by Tryon and Bailey, offers a methodology for understanding the selective use of health services and for evaluating the effects of change introduced into health service delivery systems. Definitions of evaluation research are given in this paper, followed by a brief history and definition of social area analysis. Three types of evaluation studies-descriptive, comparative or correlational, and experimental-are described and exemplified. The role of epidemiologic data in describing catchment areas and in the identification and location of high-risk populations is discussed. Applications of multivariate statistical procedures for identifying salient dimensions of defined areas and for developing equations linking area characteristics to rates of service use are described. It is concluded that applications of social area analysis methodology can make important contributions to the evaluation of health delivery systems serving catchment area populations.