EVALUATION RESEARCH - AN OVERVIEW (FROM READINGS IN EVALUATION RESEARCH, 2ND ED., 1977, BY FRANCIS G CARO SEE NCJ-50468)

• NCJ Number: 50469
• Author(s): F G CARO
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 36 pages
• Corporate Author: Russell Sage Foundation
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

BASIC ISSUES, THE ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT, AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES OF EVALUATION, PARTICULARLY REGARDING SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS, ARE TREATED IN THIS OVERVIEW.

Abstract

BASIC ISSUES INCLUDE THE DEFINITION OF EVALUATION, APPROACHES TO METHODS OF EVALUATION, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION RESEARCH IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, FACTORS AFFECTING INVESTMENT IN EVALUATION RESEARCH, ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND EVALUATION RESEARCH AND BASIC RESEARCH. THE FOLLOWING TOPICS ARE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: PROBLEMS IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE EVALUATION RESEARCH ROLE; PROBLEMS IN ADMINISTRATION OF EVALUATION RESEARCH; PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF RESULTS OF EVALUATION; BASIC STRAINS BETWEEN EVALUATIVE RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING DISCUSSION ON SERVICE VERSUS RESEARCH, SPECIFICITY VERSUS GENERALITY, METHODS, STATUS QUO VERSUS CHANGE, EXPLANATIONS FOR FAILURE, AND SCIENTIFIC VERSUS ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE; CLIENT ACTIVISM; STRATEGIES FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE EVALUATION ROLE WHICH INVOLVE INSIDE VERSUS OUTSIDE EVALUATORS, ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS, COOPERATION IN TASK DEFINITION, COOPERATION OF PROGRAM STAFF, AND FEEDBACK; AND STRATEGIES FOR OBTAINING COOPERATION FROM CLIENT SPOKESMEN. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES INVOLVE MEASUREMENT AND DESIGN. DISCUSSIONS ON MEASUREMENT CONCENTRATE ON INPUT MEASUREMENT AND ORIGINAL AND SECONDARY DATA. DISCUSSIONS ON DESIGN DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF CONTROL, PROGRAM PRACTITIONER INTERACTION, PROGRAM RECIPIENT INTERACTIONS, AND DIFFUSE AND UNSTABLE PROGRAMS. (RCB)