Seven steps describe the process of building and using a survey: (1) establishing the target group, (2) building survey questions, (3) using the card method, (4) conducting the survey interview, (5) analyzing survey results, (6) involving line management, and (7) appraising the approach. A sample survey form is included. (Author/MW)

Some theoretical concerns for competency-based evaluation instruments are discussed, and means of examining these instruments for validity and reliability are presented. The areas of concern include descriptions of the behavior, the level of response, and the nature of the evaluation. Two different types of instruments are examined to determine…

An overview of factors that should be included in writing an evaluation of programs designed to improve the educational opportunities of Mexican American children is presented in this paper. The factors included are the statement of the problem with which the special program deals, presentation of the background information, and the steps needed…

In an attempt to improve Head Start evaluations, several methodological techniques are proposed. Since programs vary in approach, evaluations must be made on the success of the individual programs. Formulation of research questions should provide information as to the process and outcome of the program. To avoid experimenter bias, experimenters…

The limits, function and procedures of operational evaluation are described. Operational evaluation can only begin once a project activity is underway. Its function is diagnostic but not prescriptive. Basic tasks include specifying objectives, defining criteria, establishing priorities, identifying cost factors, obtaining or developing measurement…

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of teacher competence within and among three groups of educators as measured by the interview scales of the Instrument for the Observation of Teaching Activities (IOTA). (Auhor)

The Gateway Technical Institute's followup study on former adult basic education (ABE) students is examined in this report, which focuses primarily on the process of the study. Since the Gateway study complemented objective measures of program effectiveness with a perspective that is often missing in program evaluations, namely, former…

A rating instrument for describing nine structural characteristics of written compositions is presented and explained. (JH)

This paper discusses a three-dimensional research procedure that is used to assess the perceptions of individuals concerning an organization's existing, ideal, and possible operational conditions. It describes procedures used to develop instruments responsive to the varied interests, concerns, and positions of organizational members or publics. In…

This interim report describes progress made toward the following five objectives of a project designed to evaluate data collected by the Cooperative Project in Educational Development (COPED): (1) To evaluate the COPED instruments; (2) to produce a compilation of instruments measuring social functioning in schools; (3) to develop, field test, and…

This document presents papers given at several conferences of Naval Training research personnel, consultants, and investigators from Washington University of St. Louis who were under contract with the Office of Naval Research to develop and test strategies for evaluating training. Part I covers basic issues in training research--learning ability;…

CONTRARY TO THE OPINION OF MANY PEOPLE, PROJECT HEADSTART (HS) IS NOT A STABLE AND UNIFORM PROGRAM WHICH DEALS WITH AN EASILY DEFINABLE POPULATION. THERE ARE, THEREFORE, SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH EXIST IN CONNECTION WITH EVALUATIVE RESEARCH CONCERNED WITH HS. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN PROGRAM PLANNING, THIS RESEARCH SEEKS TO DESCRIBE POTENTIAL…

This paper concerns two features of a project on the assessment of job potential: the J-Coefficient, and the J-Scale. The J-Coefficient is a means of determining the validity of a test for a position on the basis of (1) the Beta Weights for predicting test scores from a set of elements and (2) estimates of importance of each element in the…

A collection of articles related to testing instruments of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) are reviewed. The report has been organized into four sections. The first discusses briefly the background and purposes of the NTE and the hazards of combining data on these tests in research studies. The second section is concerned with articles…