Noting that program evaluators can profit by adopting the investigative journalist's goal of discovering hidden information, this guide explores the journalist's investigative process--without its element of suspicion--and discusses how components of this process can be applied to program evaluation. After listing the major characteristics of the investigative approach, the guide describes the use of an investigative posture in evaluation, lists criteria for determining when to use investigative journalism methods, outlines steps for carrying out an investigative program evaluation, and provides an example of investigative journalism techniques applicable for evaluation, using the Keller Plan teaching method (observation, interviews, analysis of records, and an interview to determine responses to previous data). Finally, the guide describes ethical and legal concerns of investigative journalism applicable to program evaluators and concludes with a glossary of terms commonly used in the investigative journalism field. (HTH)