Implementation Fidelity: The Disconnect Between Theory and Practice

Abstract

The current paper combines a conceptual analysis of major reviews of implementation fidelity studies (e.g., Dane & Schneider, 1998; Mowbray et al., 2003; O’Donnell, 2008) with reflections on fidelity measurement practice in field evaluations.  It claims that practice is impoverished by the failure to recognize the existence of competing conceptualizations of fidelity, rooted in different theoretical perspectives. Different evaluation contexts may be better matched to one or the other of these perspectives. Confusion about how fidelity should be defined in a given funding program or evaluation prevents evaluators from instituting a maximally useful fidelity measurement program.   Difficulties inherent to creating high-quality fidelity measures contribute to the problem. The causes and consequences of this disconnect between fidelity theory and fidelity practice are discussed herein. Preliminary suggestions for solutions are advanced.