After reviewing the literature, the authors defined a two dimensional framework comprising formative evaluation activity as one dimension and source of information as the other. Four types of formative evaluation activity were identified and defined. Three primary sources of information-internal, external, and contextual-were identified for consideration as the evaluator engages in the following four types of formative evaluation activity. The first section reviews a number of approaches to formative evaluation in the predevelopmental stage including sampling, Q-sort and task analysis. In the second section techniques for the formative evaluation of objectives are discussed, including questionnaires and surveys, delphi technique, and content analysis of documents. The third section deals with techniques for formative interim evaluation which may include collecting internal information such as descriptive information and processing critical appraisals, as well as describing physical specifications of the product. The fourth section deals with formative product evaluation in which a version of the complete product is produced. Rather than being discrete, this stage is continuous with evaluation of interim stages of the product. (Author/RC)