The national evaluation, established because of the paucity of information about the use of restitution and its effects, aims at describing the restitution and its effects, aims at describing the restitution programs in detail, assessing the relative and differential effects of restitution, and contributing to the general body of knowledge about restitution. Components of the general design include the use of random allocation to experimental (restitution) and comparison (nonrestitution) conditions, the collection of extensive data comparable across programs, and a uniform data analysis plan. A two-stage analysis plan is intended to provide a comprehensive description of each program and to assess the effects of restitution. At the descriptive level, analyses are underway to construct profiles of restitution case characteristics and to examine the relationships among restitution case components. Effectiveness assessments are being done in a variety of ways, including pre/postassessments of offenders' and victims' attitudes; monitoring indicators of offenders' domestic, economic, and social stability; and examining official records to detect any offender contact with the criminal justice system subsequent to program involvement. In addition, data on restitution performance are being collected to assess the degree to which offenders are in compliance with requirements set for the amount and schedule of restitution required. Objections to the experimental design used focus on the propriety and/or practicality of the design; as well as the political relevance of using the design and the findings resulting from its use. Most of the objections by program administrators have been laid to rest through lengthy discussions, and an experimental design was implemented, with varying degrees of success, in each of the six programs.