ERIC Number: EJ689236
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-2140
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Available Date: N/A
What's All the Talk About? Examining EVALTALK, an Evaluation Listserv. Conference
Christie, Christina A.; Azzam, Tarek
American Journal of Evaluation, v25 n2 p219-234 2004
Listservs have become a popular computer-mediated method for communicating with others who share a common interest. They offer subscribers quick feedback and provide a forum for ideas and beliefs to be exchanged, discussed, and modified. Although rarely studied, in some practical fields listserves have been shown to increase communication of best practices. EVALTALK is an online evaluation discussion forum, and the official listserv of the American Evaluation Association. The current study examined EVALTALK exchanges generated over a one-year period in order to better understand how the listserv is used by its members. Results from our analysis suggest that a significant proportion of the EVALTALK listserv postings are not directly related to evaluation; however, when lengthy discussions ensue, they are most likely to be evaluation related. Additionally, much of the EVALTALK activity centers on requests for evaluation examples, procedures, and experiences. We also found that the typical subscriber is more likely to be a "lurker" than an active participant.
Descriptors: Electronic Mail, Computer Mediated Communication, Discourse Analysis, Evaluation Methods, Program Evaluation, Evaluation Criteria
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A