The development of European Community administrative authority has greatly influenced the development of an evaluation culture among the southern and central member states of the European Union. The present case study from Spain provides an example of this diffusion through the use of an empowerment evaluation approach to build evaluation capacity…

The problem of drawing causal inferences from retrospective case-controlled studies is considered. A model for causal inference in prospective studies is applied to retrospective studies. Limitations of case-controlled studies are formulated concerning relevant parameters that can be estimated in such studies. A coffee-drinking/myocardial…

This article aimed at finding out if participatory processes (group discussions, enactments, and others) do make a valuable contribution in communication-based project implementation/evaluation and the fight against HIV/AIDS. A case study backed by documentary analysis of evaluation reports and occasional insights from interviews stood as the main…

Describes a method that uses program participants' compliance with program instructions as a means of classifying participants and in that way obtains a randomized control group for a subset of participants. Illustrates two variations of the method through a large smoking-intervention project. (SLD)

Trade-offs are implicit in choosing a subjective or objective method for evaluating social programs. The differences between Bayesian and traditional statistics, decision and cost-benefit analysis, and anthropological and traditional case systems illustrate trade-offs in choosing methods because of limited resources. (SLD)

A review of a junior high school math innovation that matched teaching styles to students' learning styles is provided. An instructional system learning milieu paradigm is explored as a way of understanding the innovation. Recommendations for future research are given. (Author/AL)

Evaluation of decisions incorporating public involvement is an area where views might differ according to the role of the stakeholder. Six general criteria for adequate evaluation of public involvement programs are presented in the context of a case study. (SLD)

A case study assessing a psychogeriatric service in the United Kingdom is evaluated. The methodology, combining naturalistic and scientific approaches, was found to be useful in extending access to decision making and improving information, but it was expensive to support, requiring high commitment and willingness to compromise from all…

The Health Advisory Network of Western Australia--an organization of consumer and provider organizations--was evaluated in a review of four case studies of issues processed and an analysis of the perceptions of 77 member delegates. It is concluded that the network should continue and might serve as a model. (SLD)

Data analysis approaches for program evaluation under the conditions of natural experiments are explored, using evaluation of the DARE program of drug use prevention among elementary school students as an example. The suggested methodology uses multiple independent analyses to demonstrate the convergence or divergence of program outcomes. (SLD)

Learning from evaluation is discussed with reference to the experiences of the Norwegian aid administration. The study demonstrates that evaluation builds learning through involvement and through communication. An organization can maximize its learning by making the two modes supplement each other. (SLD)

The history of research and development (R&D) and its evaluation within the 3M Company are traced as an example of the progression of the use of evaluation and evaluation techniques. Scoring methods, cost-benefit analysis, and risk analysis have been among the most frequently used program evaluation methods. (SLD)

Focus group findings were compared with survey findings for three studies in which both methods were used. Studies conducted on voluntary sterilization in Guatemala, Honduras, and Zaire with over 2,000 subjects confirm that focus groups yield information similar to that obtained from surveys and are useful in program planning. (SLD)

The outcome evaluation of a Drug-Free Schools and Community Program using a case-study design and pattern-matching logic in elementary schools and high schools is described, including the use of a panel survey and qualitative interviews. The elementary school case matched predicted outcome, but the high school case did not. (SLD)