In this commentary, we examine Braverman's insights into the trade-offs between feasibility and rigor in evaluation measures and reject his assessment of the trade-off as a zero-sum game. We, argue that feasibility and policy salience are, like reliability and validity, intrinsic to the definition of a good measure. To reduce the tension between…

The author, in her review of Frank Caro's article, "Leverage and Evaluation Effectiveness," finds several suggestions which may harm evaluation more than help it, and which are unlikely to be implemented. (Author/GK)

Discusses the utilization of evaluative information in terms of the dimensions of evaluation, pitfalls of evaluation, and facts concerning useful evaluation. (AH)

The author believes her ideas on evaluation reporting are old ideas in various fields including communication theory, advertising, social science, and learning theory. The human factor in reporting evaluation must be considered. Those being evaluated often feel threatened by the evaluation. Evaluators need to accept the behaviors of evaluation…

The evaluation literature suggests that evaluation studies may be underutilized by policy makers. This possibility has stimulated a good deal of evaluation use research. However, most of the research has not been theoretically grounded. This paper reviews the key propositions of communications theory and related previous research, as they are…

Three specific points are made about helping program managers improve their use of information: (1) program managers appear to be the easiest group for evaluators to work with to improve use; (2) realistically, these managers may be the most difficult group to help; and (3) several strategies exist that evaluators use to help program people…

Four fundamental issues in program evaluation are discussed: (1) evaluations involve stakeholders with diverse interests; (2) data involve some degree of subjectivity; (3) meaningful interpretation of results requires understanding of the assumptions on which results are based; and (4) programs are dynamic and require flexible evaluations.…

The philosophical and psychological foundations of the resistance evaluators encounter when attempting to implement evaluation efforts are explored. Problems in the evaluative paradigm are presented, and suggested coping strategies are discussed. (Author/GK)

Evaluators vary in their propensity to make direct valuative judgments of program worth. The decision to include recommendations with a report or provide merely descriptive evaluation depends on individuals' perspectives concerning the nature of reality, truth and values, human agency, and informational utility. (SLD)

It has been two years since the Evaluation Research Society (ERS) published its Standards for Program Evaluation. The standards have influenced professional activities, such as panel discussions, and have been useful in training evaluators. However, the question arises as to whether the standards have been consulted by practicing evaluators or…

Critical issues in the process of program evaluation are (1) identification and definition of objectives and outcomes, (2) development of valid and reliable forms of assessment, (3) development of methods of data analysis and interpretation, and (4) extension of the use of evaluation results. (SK)

A successful school program evaluation is re-examined to determine what made it successful. Suggestions for future evaluations include: (1) observe the political context of the program; (2) select a useful research design; (3) be sensitive to the subjects; and (4) discuss preliminary findings and be open to rebuttals. (JKS)

To determine whether program evaluation will be an important tool for policymaking and management in the Reagan Administration, it would be helpful to consider what the Reagan administration expected and received from evaluation in California during the period 1971-1974. In California, program evaluation activities were frequently implemented on a…

This paper explores the implications of "user-focused evaluation" by examining the information utilization dynamics of the evaluation of the Caribbean Agricultural Extension Project. (BW)

In a recently published article, it was suggested that program evaluation in teacher education is unsophisticated and poorly conducted. Arguments are presented to show that the article presents a limited view of program evaluation efforts being conducted in schools of education. (JN)