The Titanium Law of Evaluation: Increasing the impact and replicability of safety and justice interventions through deliberate implementation and adaptation

Abstract

Objective

This paper introduces the Titanium Law of Evaluation, emphasizing the importance of implementation fidelity and local contextual adaptation in program evaluations within criminology.

Method

Through an examination of the past and current conversations in criminology around the role of randomized controlled trials, the paper highlights the critical but often overlooked aspect of deliberate implementation, as defined by adherence to fidelity and adaptation to local context, in understanding program effectiveness.

Result

The case studies of the Honest Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) and the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) illustrate the importance of measuring implementation fidelity, making mid-course corrections, and adapting programs to local contexts to foster desired outcomes.

Conclusion

The Titanium Law advocates for a nuanced understanding of implementation processes, promoting collaborative evaluations that consider both fidelity and local context—both key components of implementation science. Recommendations include integrating these principles into criminology curricula and fostering partnerships between researchers and practitioners to improve evaluation outcomes.