There is a need for a holistic usability evaluation framework that accommodates social constructivist online courses. Social knowledge construction may not be adequately evaluated using current frameworks. This qualitative research study examined the usability needs of a social constructivist online course. Data from an online course were analyzed…

A comprehensive review of structured family support programs in children's mental health was conducted in collaboration with leadership from key national family organizations. The goals were to identify typologies of family support services for which evaluation data existed and identify research gaps. Over 200 programs were examined; 50 met…

An evaluation tool, the Evaluation Center Cube (ECC), is presented as a vehicle for establishing an analytic framework and uniting evaluation strategies. The ECC was developed in response to the Kellogg Foundation's need to categorize community-initiated funding proposals. As a classification tool, it facilitates proposal analysis and is…

Evaluation research is conceived as a question answering process. Four strategies are suggested which emerged from four approaches to the study of questions. Evaluation questions must be identified and classified before research can effectively begin. This paper discusses the four approaches to studying evaluation research questions and their…

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)

A study was conducted to determine what particular outcomes are appropriate for use as criteria to evaluate vocational education programs. Procedures included (1) compiling a list of candidate outcomes, (2) conducting a literature and practice review, (3) formulating a strategy for having outcomes reviewed, (4) developing alternative outcome…

Based on a theoretical model of program development, this taxonomy of evaluation relates six evaluation objectives or purposes to nine methodological alternatives. Use of the taxonomy may increase the efficiency of evaluation, improve communication, and assist in the choice of a methodology that is appropriate to the evaluation purposes.…

Report on study to consider ways in which research effectiveness could be assessed outlines possible approaches (cost-benefit assessment, citation analysis, publications, real-time tracking study, case study, take-up survey, audience research panel, penetration study). Appropriateness of approaches is discussed in relation to projects funded by…

This review of child homicide research identifies three methodological issues: (1) the classification of child deaths as homicides is unreliable; (2) child homicides may not represent the endpoint of a continuum of violence from inadequate parenting to death; and (3) child homicides are not frequent enough to measure the impact of child welfare…

Most successful vocational education programs are identified in 16 community colleges through the use of the Delphi method. The design provided for a reliability check on the Delphi technique through the use of two independent Delphi panels on each campus. Hard data on 36 "most successful" and 36 "other" programs on 12 campuses…

A review of eight studies that focus on physical education curriculums and programs illustrated a variety of research approaches in the areas of curriculum development, collaborative program development, program description, development process description, and program evaluation. (IAH)

The casual approach to evaluation, the interface of evaluation and research, and various approaches subsumed within evaluation are addressed, and the dimensions that determine the worth of engaging in evaluation activities are examined. Additionally, a statement about the state-of-the-art in regard to the technology of conducting evaluation…

Reviewed research on practicum supervision in terms of findings and research designs employed. Classified research according to counselor-supervisor similarity, training methods, and evaluation. Conclusions indicated no support for supervisor-counselor matching, support for experiential, modeling and didatic methods, and peer supervision. (Author)

Multiple sources of influence impact the decisions about what and how teacher educators are expected to operate, including the innovations that are adopted. Some of those sources of influence (such as teacher certification boards) can demand that certain curricula be adopted, specific instructional procedures be utilized, and delineate the…

The purpose of the study reported in this chapter was to determine if senior evaluation consultants experienced stages of growth in their practice similar to the small business development stages described by Bruce and Scott, to identify the stimuli that led to those changes, to determine what the consultants learned from these incidents, and to…