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SUMMARY While practitioners are now asked to provide evidence that supports the services we deliver, there is little empirical evidence concerning occupational therapy interventions. Research by clinicians is limited, often due to a lack of time, institutional support and research skills. Establishing collaborative research relationships between faculty, clinicians, and graduate students has been suggested as a means of addressing these barriers. Implementation of a model teaming students with clinicians to conduct outcomes studies is described. The model will be illustrated using a case example of a collaborative research project evaluating the efficacy of a home management skills program for individuals with chronic mental illness. The benefits and challenges of the collaborative process will be described.

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Accountability of educational institutions is a current trend in academia. Outcomes assessment provides a method of evaluating educational programs to ensure they are meeting their objectives. This paper presents an overview of outcomes assessment and describes its relationship to and integration with program evaluation. It also describes the implementation of an outcomes assessment program at Kean College of New Jersey, Union, New Jersey. A model for assessment within occupational therapy programs, which parallels a model for intervention planning, is introduced and discussed.