Table 1.

Donabedian’ structure-process-outcome model (adapted from [8] about the three types of administrative evaluations).

Component to be evaluated	Evaluation approach	Explanation
Resource input	Evaluation of Structure	Structure assessment relates to the organization of ethics committees, the number, training and competency of staff, the comprehensiveness of services, and the accessibility of services. The link to outcome assessment is based on the assumption that the better the structure, the better the process and outcomes.
Service rendered	Evaluation of Process	This addresses issues related to what committees do, how they do it and the interaction they have with each other/researchers.
Outcome achieved	Evaluation of Outcome	Outcome assessment relate specifically to the program’s objectives. Narrow and measurable objectives are needed.