Analysis of data of two cooperative extension studies suggests that research costs can be lowered by reducing sample size without compromising results, descriptive studies can have a larger margin of error in calculating sample size without compromise, and comparative studies' results are unaffected by a 3% margin of error but are dramatically…

Presents methodology and results of the focus group interviews with 21 people from elementary and secondary schools and 17 people from institutions serving adults which were conducted as part of an evaluation of the Career Information System of Iowa. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of focus groups and additional applications to career…

Evaluation of secondary school music programs should not be based on performing groups' success. The Music Educators National Conference has suggested that a comprehensive evaluation should examine several aspects of a school music program, including goals and objectives, leadership, staffing, curriculum and scheduling, instructional materials,…

Reports the processes and results of an evaluation of the Theatre Artists-in-Schools Program of a large school district. Surveys principals, curriculum specialists, teachers, students, theater artists, and parents. Finds that the theater program was perceived as adding to the curriculum, to positive attitudes, and to student achievement in general…

More effective evaluation of training requires an integrated approach and an appropriate organizational culture that recognizes the value of evaluation and links it to organizational objectives. (SK)

PPG's training department enhanced its value to the organization by getting closer to its internal customer and helping them build the competencies needed to meet business goals. Techniques included the training, development, and education process model and a professional development sourcebook clarifying competencies and activities for acquiring…

Steps in presenting evaluation recommendations are outlined. The steps include the following: the development of effective recommendations, the presentation of effective recommendations, and the effective following up of recommendations. (TJH)

Offers a case study that examines the methodological problems of evaluating a community relations program in Northern Ireland. Recommends a quantitative and qualitative approach to evaluation and raises issues that must be addressed when evaluating community development programs. (Author/JOW)

Presents a framework for planning, designing, conducting, and implementing training program evaluations. Identifies pitfalls, evaluation criteria, resources, and constraints. (SK)

Reviews the relationship between occupational therapy and client involvement, examines the rationale for involving clients in program evaluation and research, and discusses how clients are involved in evaluation and research in today's mental health care setting. (Author)

Applies the following outcomes assessment principles to Alverno College's nursing program: begin with educational values; view learning as multidimensional, integrated, and revealed over time; have explicit purposes; include experiences leading to outcomes; make assessment ongoing; include wide representation; and make assessment part of larger…

A better way to assess the effectiveness of management development is to measure organizational effectiveness rather than individual improvement. Case studies support the Business Excellence Framework model, which assesses enablers (leadership, personnel management, policy, resources, processes) and results (personnel and customer satisfaction,…

Uses data from an evaluation of an alternative teacher certification program to illustrate the value and use of multilevel models to examine site-to-site outcome differences data from multisite evaluations, showing how a traditional analysis approach can overlook effective interventions and miss important links between program implementation and…

Identifies key factors that should be considered by those engaged in the evaluation of overseas development projects to ensure that the evaluation process leads to the empowerment of local stakeholders. A literature review resulted in the development of seven guidelines for evaluation of overseas development projects. (SLD)

Reviews the results of the effectiveness of counseling services provided by the Juvenile Counseling and Assessment Program of the Juvenile Court of Clarke County, Georgia. Individual and group counseling services were provided for 55 adjudicated delinquent youths for four to six months. The recidivism rates of the youths who had received…