Researchers may be interested in examining the impact of programs that prepare youth and adults for successful careers but unable to implement experimental designs with true randomization of participants. As a result, these studies can be compromised by underlying factors that impact group selection and thus lead to potentially biased results.…

The study dealt with a research environment in which the treatment effect is heterogeneous, and in which individuals use their assessments of the treatment effect to decide whether or not to enroll in an intervention program. In this article, a new methodology is proposed for examining the validity of the specified research environment in a given…

The author discusses the procedural plan for the National Assessment of Vocational Education. The plan has five study areas: (1) Perkins Act implementation, (2) access of special populations, (3) secondary vocational education, (4) postsecondary vocational education, and (5) the changing economy and its skill requirements. (CH)

SPECIAL RESEARCH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED FOR 85 INDIVIDUALS IN FOUR, 2-DAY TRAINING PROGRAMS HELD AS PRESESSIONS TO THE 1967 AMERICAN VOCATIONAL ASSOCIATION CONVENTION. TWO-THIRDS OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL AND RESEARCH PERSONNEL FROM COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND THE REMAINDER WERE FROM RESEARCH COORDINATING UNITS, STATE…

Provides an expanded analysis of rigor and relevance in the context of program evaluation. Epistemological rigor, epistemological relevance, methodological rigor, and methodological relevance are defined and illustrated in the literature on vocational education evaluation. (Author/SK)

Building the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key concern for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). To assist with this objective, NCVER supports an academic scholarship program, whereby VET practitioners are sponsored to undertake university study at honours', master's or…

The Vocational Education Act of 1963 (P.L. 88-210) specified that funded programs undergo periodic and regular evaluation to determine if participants are being adequately prepared for employment. A quasi-experimental method for objectively evaluating pilot programs is to use appropriate reference groups in lieu of the traditional experimental…

The usefulness of Path Analysis (PA) for conducting longitudinal studies dealing with program evaluation and vocational development is discussed. A description of the mechanics of Path Analysis is provided, along with two examples of recent research in vocational education which utilized PA, and a discussion of the benefits and future applications…

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…

TRAINING RESOURCES FOR YOUTH, INC. (PROJECT TRY) WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH 600 17-21 YEAR OLD MALES IN THE BEDFORD-STUYVESANT AREA OF BROOKLYN COULD LEARN VOCATIONAL, PERSONAL, AND SOCIAL SKILLS. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES WERE USED TO PRODUCE POSITIVE CHANGES IN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS OF…

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…

The present status of information on employer satisfaction with former secondary level vocational education students, as well as current methods being used to collect employer data, are reviewed. The kind and quality of information appear to be closely related to the methodology employed. (Author)

THE MANY ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE RECENT EMPHASIS UPON IMPROVING EDUCATION SHOULD CONCERN THE MAJOR PROBLEMS, RESEARCH TOPICS, AND PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED THROUGH A SUGGESTED SYSTEM OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BOOKKEEPING IN WHICH RESULTS ARE REVIEWED BY APPROPRIATE STAFF AND RESOURCE PERSONNEL FROM BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES.…

In view of a demand for information and an expansion in evaluation research practices, possibilities for combining quantitative and qualitative methods in program evaluation should be explored. Quantitative research methods attempt to reduce observed social phenomena to numerical notations. Their weaknesses include the reduction of social…

The 168 entries of research in consumer and homemaking education, with publication dates ranging from 1959-1969, are arranged alphabetically by author and title within eight sections. Research reports, program descriptions, instructional materials, bibliographies, dissertations, and conference proceedings are included, classified by: (1) Consumer…