This introduction to a special section on evaluation utilization decribes the charge presented to the commissioned authors: to clarify what is meant by evaluation utilization. The resulting papers are described as presenting a clear rejection of the term utilization and as providing substantial assistance in distinguishing between utilization and…

The concepts and tools of change process research are applied to the study of evaluation utilization. In defining utilization as an innovation, evaluation use is described as a process which must be assessed at both the individual and organizational level and across time and evaluation studies. (Author/LC)

Study investigated the factors that influence the use of evaluative information for decision making by school boards. Study suggests that there is no set process for decision making but that there are decision-making patterns that depend on contextual variables. (RB)

The four studies reported in this paper examined the relationship between locus of control and (1) preferences for evaluation strategies, (2) kinds of information seen as useful in decision making, (3) values placed on the usefulness and worth of evaluation, and (4) group interaction in decision making. (BW)

This study investigated the significance of viewing the authority to evaluate as an indicator of the exercise of financial control. Financial control in this investigation focuses exclusively on state financial legislation. Evaluation authority in this investigation focuses exclusively on evaluation components of such legislation. (BW)

This overview of educational evaluation in the Netherlands provides background and details the state of the art in student, curriculum, and innovation evaluation. The role of international evaluation issues (such as evaluation criteria and the decision-making process) in evaluation theory and practice in The Netherlands is discussed. (BS)