This paper helps researchers develop criteria for conducting surveys. Cost considerations frame the paper's suggestions. Specifically, the text advises that researchers consider the human and material resources needed, type of survey instrument, medium for conducting the survey (mail, telephone, personal interview, etc.), data analysis…

This study illustrates the means by which empirical data obtained from the Alabama Initial Certification Test (AICT) of 590 undergraduates at a state institution can be analyzed statistically to determine the institution's efficacy in teaching. The Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance procedure was selected as the test statistic to analyze…

A response to criticism by researchers House, Rivers, and Stufflebeam published in the June Kappan. (Editors)

The dimensions of educational evaluation include conceptualization and technology of evaluation. The methods have been drawn from the area of educational and psychological research. The techniques of evaluation need to serve the information needs of clients, address the central value issues, deal with situational realities, meet requirements of…

The Interstate Validation Process (IVP-)is a method of validating educational practices for dissemination across state lines. The IVP was developed because no validation procedures for disseminating non-federally-funded programs were accepted by all states in the U.S. Department of Education's Region X, and because it was felt that such procedures…

As the emphasis on the inclusion of evaluation and assessment activities in the development and implementation of various school programs has increased, so has the need to address the question of whether or not these strategies can or do effectively assist in bringing about school change or program improvement. The following are conditions or…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress; Second Science Assessment No-Show Study assessed the magnitude and causation of nonresponse biases. A No-Show is defined as an individual who was selected as a sample respondent but failed to be present for regular assessment of the 17-year-old group. The procedure whereby a sample of eligible…

One of a series of research reports examining objective principles successfully used in other fields which can lend integrity and legitimacy to evaluation, this report presents an overview of operations research (OR) as a potential source of evaluation methodology. The nature of the methods common to this discipline are summarized and the…

Canada is facing a constitutional crisis. The political options cannot be disentangled from educational considerations and all have crucial implications for the educational future of the nation. The most recent Canadian assessment and appraisal work does not go to the heart of the matter and is subject to both logical and methodological…

In evaluation of the Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I compensatory education programs, both the federal reporting mandate (using formal evaluation) and local needs (using informal evaluation) must be served. In Chicago Public Schools, computerized processing of standardized test scores allows the reporting requirement to be met with a…

The phenomenological point of view is described, particularly the use of multiple realities as employed by sociologists to increase phenomenological understanding. Examples of applying the multiple reality approach to education are discussed. Part One is an introduction to the theme, "Phenomenology, Multiple Realities and Educational…

The primary purpose of educational needs assessment should be to determine the specific nature of learner needs in order that programs may be designed and instruction prescribed that will meet those needs. Needs assessment should be conducted only when the information is necessary and will be used. Before a needs assessment is undertaken, it…

A model for the evaluation of educational programs is presented, consisting of a seven-step procedure for determining objectives, developing the assessment data, analyzing the data, and presenting it in a meaningful format. The first step is to determine the objectives for the program and enumerate them in a meaningful, measurable fashion; second,…