A technique developed to monitor the quality of manufactured products, statistical process control (SPC), incorporates several features that may prove attractive to evaluators. This paper reviews the history of SPC, suggests how the approach can enrich program evaluation, and illustrates its use in a hospital-based example. (SLD)

Steps in presenting evaluation recommendations are outlined. The steps include the following: the development of effective recommendations, the presentation of effective recommendations, and the effective following up of recommendations. (TJH)

The closing of the Program Evaluation and Methodology Division of the U.S. General Accounting Office marks the end of an era of innovative and important evaluation work. The loss of leadership with the retirement of E. Chelimsky contributed to the decline in the division's fortunes which was brought about by budget constraints. (SLD)

Presents an approach to the evaluation of family support programs that does not violate the principles of family support. Tailoring the evaluation to the program service philosophy ensures that the evaluation process is integrated with the program to provide a more accurate picture of the program. (SLD)

With the advent of program theory, evaluators have begun advancing understanding of how programs function in a specific context and how generalizations of program effects are contingent upon organizational, community, and cultural settings. Program theory is described and evaluated for practicality, and a congruent theory of program evaluation is…

Explores the implications that continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs are likely to have for evaluation. CQI, often known as total quality management, offers a structured approach to the analysis of an organization's processes and improvement that should provide advantages to evaluators once they have gained experience with the approach.…

The relationship between alternative evaluation approaches and the concerns of policy communities is examined. It is assumed that there are certain criteria and methods that are more relevant to particular types of policy discussions. Evaluation methodology should be based on the interests of the policy actors involved. (TJH)

Progress in evaluation of dispute mediation efforts and results of a survey of directors of 95 mediation programs in 25 states are discussed. Thirty-nine directors provided their evaluation instruments. Results provide insights into purposes/contents of evaluations, compliance rates, satisfaction with mediators, mediator effectiveness, and…

Areas of evaluation are identified in which the formative/summative distinction appears inadequate: (1) knowledge-generating evaluations aimed at conceptual use; (2) developmental evaluation; and (3) use of evaluation to support intervention or empower participants. An argument is also made for the effectiveness of feedback that cannot be…

The Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) welfare-to-work program in California was evaluated by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC). The evaluation relied on involvement of stakeholders, examination of program implementation, flexibility, the adaptation of evaluation questions and designs during the study, use of random…

Differing views about the success evaluators have had in improving programs directly are contrasted. It is suggested that evaluation, even when decisions are not based directly on evaluation outcomes, should represent continuing education for program managers, planners, and policy makers with probable impact in the future. (SLD)

It is argued that reports of evaluation activities often leave much to be desired because they fail to portray the real trial-and-error processes of the research study and do not report on the logic in use at the time of the inquiry. (SLD)

The formative-summative distinction in evaluation is defended as a reasonable way to classify evaluation activities. Context ultimately defines the formative or summative functions of evaluation. The characteristics of an evaluator are defined, and points of agreement with the other contributors to the forum are noted. (SLD)

The use of focus groups by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a tool of internal evaluation is described. Focus groups are used in an environment where credibility is key to achieving meaningful cooperation. Issues for consideration by other evaluators interested in the approach are summarized. (SLD)

The formative/summative evaluation dichotomy suggested by M. Scriven is challenged, and a conceptual typology is presented that crosses improvement and assessment evaluation functions with process and outcome program stages for four basic types of evaluation. This framework accommodates mixed types of evaluations. (SLD)