The objective of this investigation was to collect data on the needs of information users which could serve as a basis for the design of information systems in the social sciences. Research habits of social scientists were explored to identify research procedures and problems of research including circumstantial and environmental variables. A…

This research project focused on the development of instruments and procedures which a local secondary school evaluating group may use for conducting its own evaluation of the local program of vocational education in agriculture. The report covers Phase I of a four-phase project and presents the development and trial of instruments and procedures…

Three evaluation studies are used to illustrate the notion of an eclectic approach to adult education evaluation. The first study, Credit and Non-Credit Offerings in a Federal Penitentiary, evaluated the learning climate in this educational setting using data collected from participating inmates (Questionnaire), non-participating inmates…

A needs assessment planning model is presented to be used by decision makers and planners of continuing education programs for pharmacists to justify new programs and services. The assessment process consists of setting desired outcomes, gathering data on the current state of affairs, measuring the discrepancies, and setting priorities. (JMD)

Recent evidence suggests that traditional cost analysis may not be the most appropriate way to justify educational budgets. This article suggests that using constructed cost models to develop operating budget requests can help ensure that the distinction between legitimate information needs and managerial autonomy is maintained. (LBH)

Considers some of the differences between "qualitative" and "quantitative" types of research, suggests three kinds of strategies for identifying qualitatively derived models and data that could be useful in collaboration across orientations, and concludes with some remarks on implications of both types of research. (Author/JM)

Provides a model for incorporating counseling evaluation concerns such as data on the counselor's instructional behaviors, client adherence to the counseling intervention and client change. Points out that much of the research on counselor effectiveness focuses on counselor characteristics rather than building the case that counseling services are…

Describes a model project at Fort Hays State University in which college students gather basic research data from older adults during summer vacations in their hometowns. Examples of successful projects and constraints on the implementation of such a model are discussed. (JAC)

The Partnership for Research in Spatial Modeling (PRISM) project at Arizona State University (ASU) developed modeling and analytic tools to respond to the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) data representations perceived by affiliated discipline scientists, and to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of three-dimensional (3D) data that…

This report provides preliminary findings and a summary of study activities for Stage I of a project that examined public library Internet services that could impact the Digital Divide. The first section discusses the E-rate program and the Digital Divide, including closing the gap in the Digital Divide and public library Internet connectivity and…

Author points out some typical common problems encountered in evaluating projects and proposes some tentative solutions to them. (Editor/RK)

Describes a needs assessment model which can be used by grass-roots organizations to collect socioeconomic and demographic data in Hispanic and other ethnic-minority communities. (CM)

This eight chapters of this special issue introduce the use of a template to specify program components as a new tool for program evaluation. The template articulates the components needed for program delivery and provides a systematic method for assessing program implementation. (SLD)

Investigates implementation of the 1990-91 New York City Parent Involvement Program. The first section summarizes the research underlying development of methodology for measuring parent involvement program implementation across diverse program sites. The second section outlines a six-step data collection and measurement methodology involving site…

The REDSIL model for ongoing evaluation of gifted education programs involves interviewing stakeholders, isolating and categorizing critical study issues, designing a data collection plan that uses several forms of qualitative methods, implementing the plan, analyzing data, searching literature relative to each issue, analyzing data again, and…