Discusses five propositions that support a rationale for increased understanding and use of qualitative methods by performance technologists: there has been a paradigm shift across the social sciences, and qualitative methods make common sense, increase flexibility, lead to increased confidence in results, and are good for professional…

Addresses the four questions raised by Yelon about use of pretests with instruction--should I pretest; on what should I pretest; how should I pretest; how should I adjust to results--and answers them from the perspective of instructional designers conducting formative evaluations to improve quality of instruction under development. (MBR)

This discussion of formative evaluation as part of the instructional design process focuses on developmental testing and expert review. A review of the literature helps define each approach, research on formative evaluation is reviewed, and 37 references are provided. (LRW)

This article presents guidelines designed to assist instructional developers in improving their performance in workload estimates for prospective training development projects. Also provided is a description of an instructional systems development model for estimating, which includes front end analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. (LRW)

Describes the Adjusted Agreement Index, a strategy for analyzing collected data from questionnaires utilizing Likert-type scales. Steps involved in using this index and its strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and a case study illustrating how it was used to summarize data on a distance education course package is presented. (MBR)

Reviews a workshop conducted at the 1987 National Society for Performance and Instruction (NSPI) Conference on estimating workload and costs for training development. Information derived from two case studies is used to compare workload estimates done by experienced managers with those done by professionals with formal instructional design…

Description of study to determine the impact of management training on student performance focuses on the need for proper evaluation. Pre- and posttraining evaluative tools for rating managers are described, differences in ratings are analyzed, and implications for evaluating management training on interpersonal skills are discussed. (LRW)

Review of a research study designed to determine the relationship between participation in supervisory training and managerial performance focuses on the importance of adequate evaluation. Dependent and independent variables used are described, statistical analyses are explained, and implications for future research design are presented. (LRW)

Presents case study on personal computer teleconferencing to compare its cost effectiveness with that of on-site training. A model is described that uses a checklist for decision making in three areas: (1) initial considerations, (2) planning considerations, i.e., design elements, and (3) technical considerations, i.e., review and selection…

Reviews an investigation of whether different formative evaluation procedures are needed when learning materials designed for one population are used by different cultural groups. Groups from the United States and Brazil were used to compare learner reactions and attitudes and to determine the amount of modification needed to revise materials.…