Our understanding of programs is enhanced when trained, skilled, and observant evaluators go "into the field"--the real world where programs are conducted--paying attention to what's going on, systematically documenting what they see, and reporting what they learn. The article opens by presenting and illustrating twelve reasons for…

Much pedagogic research undertaken in geography and other disciplines relies on post-hoc methods such as surveys or interviews to investigate the student experience of higher education (often based on self-reports of behaviour). However, observation of students provides a far more direct route to obtain information about their behaviour, and there…

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a competency-based approach to designing and assessing master's level professional preparation programs in the field of higher education administration. Given the absence of a universal set of competencies defined for HEA master's degree programs, the authors draw from the CAHEP (2010) and Wright…

This guide provides evaluators interested in new methods with a framework for determining the feasibility, utility, and effectiveness of the methods in field settings. To accomplish this intent, the body of this guide contains discussions of five checklists. Three of the checklists are to be used before a trial to determine the feasibility of one…

Since evaluation has its roots in many disciplines, teaching evaluation from an interdisciplinary perspective offers special potential. A course in the Social Ecology Program at the University of California, Irvine, which provides students with the skills, knowledge, and field experiences necessary for conducting effective evaluation studies is…

The 11 programs and sites participating in the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Intensive Supervision Demonstration Project are described. The demonstration was designed to assess the effects and costs of sentencing convicted felons to community-based programs. The evaluation by the Rand Corporation and data collection methods and random…

The applications of evaluation training in clinically oriented social interventions are examined. A joint program in evaluation and clinical psychology at Northwestern University is described. The core evaluation course, which emphasizes methodological study and substantial fieldwork, is discussed. (BS)

Describes a field study of four public libraries that examined the extent to which differences in local implementation of the Public Library Association's long-range planning process produced differences in planning outcomes. Reasons for deciding to plan, participant evaluation of the process, and specific outcomes are highlighted. (LRW)

Discusses the limitations of laboratory research in evaluating second language instruction, arguing that field research, which fosters a concern for what works in the classroom first, is more desirable because it provides direct feedback to instructors. (Author/CB)

Intended as a supplement to the National Testing Service (NTS) project proposal of September 12, 1978, this report describes the status (as of November 15, 1978) of the evaluation design and the field implementation plan used for the national evaluation study of Head Start Educational Services and the Basic Educational Skills demonstration…

A teacher education program evaluation model incorporates six features: program modification; field-based perspective; longitudinal approach; involvement of all related program personnel; reliable and comprehensive data; and examination of importance or values as well as effectiveness. Operation of the model, reaction of participants and…

Conceptualizes parent development as an outcome of parent education. Describes implementation of a cognitive theory-based educational design for facilitating parent development in four parent education sites. Implications of focusing parent education on complex parent development outcomes are discussed. (SNR)

Describes an evaluation program designed to assess the effectiveness of technology enhanced instruction within the context of the Technology Enhanced Secondary Science Instruction (TESSI) project, a field-based research program of technology integration into secondary science. Includes analyses of student enrollment and achievement, ethnographic…

Explains the function of formative evaluation and the evaluation techniques that can be used in the various stages of educational computing research and development. Topics include computer software design; selecting evaluation standards; and a framework for formative evaluation, including theoretical models, expert consultation, and field…

The overall goal of this project was to examine the effectiveness of career education by identifying some of the best of the current career education programs and practices which were referred to in Public Law 93-380 and which have been objectively evaluated. The specific objectives were to: (1) gather and analyze reports of career education…