Suggests a framework for distinguishing between HIV infections that are truly prevented and those that are merely delayed and illustrates how these outcomes can be estimated. Discusses strategies for extrapolating intervention effects beyond the assessment period and highlights the implications of these approaches for HIV prevention decision…

Evaluators usually have preconceptions about how decisions are made in social programs and how evaluation results will be used. This article demonstrates how an evaluator's choice of a decision-making model has significant impact on the conduct and fate of the research. (Author/CM)

An analytical technique is reviewed that allows a researcher to decompose informant reports into their respective trait, informant bias, and measure specificity using LISREL. The technique is illustrated in a study of decision making in 151 police agencies. (SLD)

Current practices of reporting a single mean intercoder agreement in meta-analysis leads to systematic bias and overestimates reliability. An alternative is recommended in which average intercoder agreement statistics are calculated within clusters of coded variables. Two studies of intercoder agreement illustrate the model. (SLD)

In this analysis of 1,815 arbitration cases in British Columbia in 1982-85, bias is identified in the bivariate estimates of the probability of management wins by industry and issue. Bivariate estimate errors in these cases can result from failure of estimates to adjust for the effects of omitted variables. (TJH)

Information utilization was examined among 90 social service decision makers. Results indicated that propensity to use a particular type of information is relatively independent of the propensity to use a particular source from which the information is obtained. (Author/LMO)

The Administrative Decision-Making Skills Project, undertaken for the New Zealand State Services Commission, is described. A philosophical model of decision making and the associated teaching/learning package for government officers is evaluated. The project, including instruments, methodology, and major findings, is evaluated. (Author/LMO)

Ten steps, generally following the scientific method, are identified and explained to assist the performance of a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) study. Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is compared to CEA, and implications of using CEA are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Evaluation research, if appropriately matched to a human service program's stage of development, can help inform the decision making at each step. The developmental stages of a program, questions to be answered at each stage, and kinds of research activities pertinent to such questions are discussed. (TJH)

A theoretical model is presented, suggesting stakeholder involvement in establishing the process of decision making in school-conducted needs assessment. Stakeholder involvement affects the validity of the selected needs, with validity defined as teacher agreement with needs selection. Data from a survey of 151 teachers support the model. (SLD)