Major ingredients of fidelity: A review and scientific guide to improving quality of intervention research implementation

Gearing, Robin Edward; El-Bassel, Nabila; Ghesquiere, Angela; Baldwin, Susanna; Gillies, John; Ngeow, Evelyn

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.007

Cited by 610Health Policy Implementation SciencePsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsMeta-analysis and systematic reviews

Major ingredients of fidelity: A review and scientific guide to improving quality of intervention research implementation

Gearing, Robin Edward, El-Bassel, Nabila, Ghesquiere, Angela, Baldwin, Susanna, Gillies, John, Ngeow, Evelyn·2011·Clinical Psychology Review

DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.007

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Abstract

Despite the critical role of fidelity and the proliferation of intervention manuals and related measures, no comprehensive, structured guide exists, resulting in definitional confusion, varying interpretations of what constitutes core components, and inconsistent application of methods to ensure fidelity. To improve integration of fidelity criteria into intervention research, this review paper focuses on three aims: 1) to identify, define, and operationalize the key ingredients and components of intervention fidelity; 2) to identify consistency and uniformity in terms of core characteristics of fidelity; and, 3) to provide a comprehensive fidelity tool that assesses the core ingredients of fidelity that can be used by researchers to measure the degree of fidelity. Twenty-four (n=24) meta-analyses and review articles focusing on fidelity were identified in a systematic literature search over the past 30 years. A comprehensive review and fidelity guide outlining four required components of intervention research (design, training, monitoring of intervention delivery, and intervention receipt) was developed, with special consideration given to threats and measurement. Fidelity is imperative in all stages and phases of intervention research. This review and guide can be used by practitioners and researchers in their scientific process of designing and implementing community-based psychological, social, and behavioral intervention research.

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Researchers administered all training conditions while observed by additional researchers to keep intervention fidelity high.
“Researchers administered all training conditions while observed by additional researchers in order to keep the intervention fidelity high (Gearing et al. 2011).”
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Authors: Gearing, R. E., El-Bassel, N., Ghesquiere, A., Baldwin, S., Gillies, J., & Ngeow, E.
Affiliations: Columbia University (US)
Corresponding author: Gearing, Robin Edward
ORCID: Gearing, Robin Edward
Ghesquiere, Angela
Venue: Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2011-02
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 79-88
ISSN: 0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.007
OpenAlex: W2005098924
Cited by: 610
References: 28
Citations by year: 2026: 24 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 17
FWCI: 22.10
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Keywords: intervention fidelity, fidelity assessment, intervention implementation, intervention manual, intervention training, behavioral interventions, social intervention, psychological intervention
MeSH terms: Behavior Therapy, Humans, Research

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Major ingredients of fidelity: A review and scientific guide to improving quality of intervention research implementation

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