This paper gives a brief overview of how qualitative and quantitative interviews can be combined to get a fuller picture of a program and its outcomes. This concept is illustrated through a discussion of evaluations of the Employment Intervention Demonstration Program, a multi-site research demonstration project funded by the Substance Abuse…

Reviews synthesis as an important task of evaluation, putting evidence together for a coherent assessment. Types of synthesis are described from the case of two variables to more complex situations, ending with metanalysis. Syntheses help identify common patterns and regularities and can help progress toward positive social change. (SLD)

Background/Context: Although the importance of facilitating transfer from community colleges to 4-year institutions is almost universally accepted, there is little consensus on how to measure transfer success or evaluate policies aimed at assisting students in making this educational transition. Despite the increasing attention on transfer in…

Presents a synthesis of what is known about Title I schoolwide programs, focusing on characteristics of schools and districts implementing schoolwide programs, programmatic and organizational characteristics of the programs, and evidence of program effectiveness. Cautions in interpreting the evaluation findings are presented, and educational…

A holistic approach to evaluating an adult education and training program or service was proposed that is based on consideration of the following: ethics, objectives, stakeholders, coverage, effects, and costs. According to the proposed approach, the following are among the design features of multimedia instruction to be considered before an…

This digest addresses the role of evaluation and its basic logic, and provides a description of how the field is structured. In order to reach evaluative conclusions it is usually necessary to establish or identify factual promises and value premises. To obtain the required kind of overall evaluative conclusion, it is typically necessary to…

Discusses the historical development of "hard" and "soft" systems thinking traditions and examines how these traditions have been understood and applied in the field of instructional development. Proposes the need for a synthesis of the two traditions in planning, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs. (AEF)

Qualitative evaluation and quantitative evaluation are discussed, examining how the perspective of each can and should create a critical debate that encourages inquiry instead of hostility. To achieve the major goal of linking evaluation information to the organization's culture, the evaluator needs to use multiple methods in a responsive,…

This paper outlines procedures for (1) identification and review of curricular materials and programs that can be used for articulating a complete process curriculum, (2) specification of synthesis tasks by which well designed materials can be augmented to be more effective and better articulated for classroom use, (3) development of teacher…

Comprised of seven tables, this compilation of community attitude responses for the Western States Small Schools Project includes data derived from Arizona (8 communities); Colorado (16 communities); Nevada (4 communities); and Utah (2 communities). Data are presented in terms of the following categories: administration; general attitude; finance;…

Approximately 560 of the most relevant manuscripts pertaining to existing evaluative research literature in the areas of non-economic, southern rural development are presented in this preliminary bibliographical synthesis. Roughly covering the period 1950-75, this annotated bibliography is divided into the following six subject categories: (1)…

The final evaluation report on the 37 Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title I projects in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Aberdeen Area, this report presents graphic and tabular descriptions for each of the 37 projects re: (1) Title I expenditures (graphic display of expenditures for reading, math, language, administration, area…

This report identifies and synthesizes what is known about specific program features for children and youth aged 6-17 that might be manipulated or regulated-components such as staff wages, group size, activities, and theoretical approach that make up the "how" of program implementation. The authors have culled information from the limited extant…

This document synthesizes the findings of case studies of career guidance and advice for adults in the European Union. Section 1 examines the problems of helping the following groups: marginalized individuals in need of vocational or social (re)integration; individuals in the process of becoming marginalized, individuals who appear to be…

The idea of civic engagement among school staffs is explored with the aim of understanding why reform initiatives often fail to be initiated fully in urban schools. This synthesis of findings across nine separate program evaluations conducted for the Philadelphia Education Fund (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was prompted by the recognition that the…