The Campbellian validity typology has been used as a foundation for outcome evaluation and for developing evidence-based interventions for decades. As such, randomized control trials were preferred for outcome evaluation. However, some evaluators disagree with the validity typology's argument that randomized controlled trials as the best design…

The most pressing social problems facing humanity in the 21st century are what systems theorist Russell Ackoff referred to as "messes"--complex dynamic systems of problems that interact and reinforce each other over time. In this article, the authors argue that the lack of progress in managing messes is in part due to the predominance of…

Community-based research (CBR) is an increasingly familiar approach to addressing social challenges. Nonetheless, the role it plays in attaining community impact is unclear and largely unstudied. Here the authors discuss an emerging framework aimed toward fostering community impact through university and community civic engagement. They describe…

This paper presents a brief overview of the changes made during our department level reform (DLR) process (Grant Title: "A Systems Approach for Civil and Environmental Engineering Education: Integrating Systems Thinking, Inquiry-Based Learning and Catamount Community Service-Learning Projects") and some of the effects of these changes on…

An evaluation methodology based on problem-solving techniques which can be effective and efficient in defining and analyzing problems which impair program performance is described. The model provides a potentially unique cost/benefit methodology for estimating the potential worth of improving program performance. (Author/RL)

A methodical, goal-oriented system for identifying and correcting the weaknesses of institutional management without undermining that institution's strengths and general character is described. The program, developed by the United Negro College Fund, is called the Integrated Systems Approach to Improving Management. (Author/MLW)

The terminology associated with instructional accountability, instructional relevance, and benefits to society were considered in determining a more efficient and effective instructional program. (Author/RK)

The systems approach is a technique that can be applied to assist in problem solving and planning, but in itself does not solve problems. (Author)

Describes a social development program for elementary school children that was developed using systems methodology. All school members were involved. Both students and teachers reported positive changes, as well as improved school attendance. The problem-solving approach included: needs assessment, specifying objectives, generating alternative…

This study examines, from an organizational perspective, decision rules guiding program discontinuance, testing the framework of decision rule rationality versus action rationality. A multi-site case study method was used; interviews were conducted with 11-16 individuals at each of four research I or II universities that had discontinued at least…

Fifteen California community colleges participated in a program designed to develop and demonstrate a training and internship model that would provide skilled, experienced project managers, especially at the levels of dean and assistant dean, for occupational education in the state's community colleges. Research was conducted to produce a…

This speech describes the School-Community-Pupil Program of the Jane Addams Graduate School of Social Work designed to adjust not only the child to school, but also the school to the child. The program educates social work students to team up with other professionals to effect changes needed for groups of children. Through courses emphasizing the…

Designed to provide administrators of occupation programs at the secondary and post-secondary level with a systems approach to administration, this administrators' guide brings together administrative and leadership tasks and responsibilities that must be considered by administrators when developing programs. The system presented in the guide is…

In accordance with the Army's emphasis on performance-oriented instruction, this project was undertaken to revise the Basic Law Enforcement Course (BLEC) offered by the U.S. Military Police School at Fort Gordon. Through a unique combination of systems engineering, group problem-solving, and peer instruction, an individualized, open-access…

A General Policy Systems Theory is outlined and its application at a university in regard to governance in the face of retrenchment is described. The way that this model of nonrigorous but holistic research supports the Purpose, Target, Results (PTR) strategy and is in turn more useful than either operations research/management or science/systems…