Since its inception, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has been committed to the practice of documenting its statistical methods for its customers and of seeking to avoid misinterpretation of its published data. The reason for this policy is to assure customers that proper statistical standards and techniques have been observed,…

This article summarizes critical evaluation needs, challenges, and lessons learned in translational research. Evaluation can play a key role in enhancing successful application of research-based programs and tools as well as informing program refinement and future research. Discussion centers on what is unique about evaluating programs and…

Examines the similarities and differences between social accounting and more traditional types of evaluation as well as identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each. Presents a framework of "comprehensive evaluation" that considers program theory, input costs, research design, and outputs. (SLD)

This handbook presents current explanations of how each survey program of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) obtains and prepared the data it publishes. The handbook aims to provide users of NCES data with the most current information necessary to evaluate the suitability of the statistics for their needs, with a focus on the…

Suggests research designs and methodologies that are useful in program evaluation when information is hard to measure, or sensitive in nature, or difficult for the respondent to articulate. Illustrates the application of these methods, which include intersubjective certifiability and triangulated respondent groups among other approaches, through…

Presents a framework to describe typical constraints that program evaluators face. The framework encompasses the usual evaluation costs and other factors that impede data collection or the implementation of strong evaluation designs. These are characterized as internal/substantive or external/political. (SLD)

Aiming to encourage longitudinal studies in science education, we clarify conceptual and methodological aspects of longitudinal research. We use the studies that other articles in this issue describe to illustrate these aspects. The illustrations range from attempts to promote long-term change through experimental teaching to investigations that…

This chapter discusses the evolution of alumni studies in the United States and how alumni data can be used to inform public policy.

Design and implementation of a curriculum evaluation plan for the vocational education program (occupational education under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act) of a large correctional system are described. An outside evaluator assisted in designing and conducting the first year's evaluation. The 1991-92 curriculum used was…

This book contains 24 essays addressing higher education evaluation and published in the International Journal of Institutional Management in Higher Education between 1979 and 1986. They are as follows: "The Evaluation of Higher Education: An Introductory Note" (Maurice Kogan); "Allocation of Public Funds on Instructional Performance/Quality…