The literature on the use of evaluative information in local education agencies is summarized. A general structure for studying evaluation use is presented. It is organized after the commonplaces of education (teacher, student, and subject matter). (BW)

The phenomenon of "halo" effects in subjective grading was investigated. Two groups of three raters evaluated 20 term papers in introductory psychology. Term paper grades correlated significantly with course grades when information about previous academic performance was made available. When this information was not available, the…

Two methods for dividing an interrupted time-series study between baseline and experimental phases when study resources are limited are compared. In fixed designs, the baseline duration is predetermined. In flexible designs the baseline duration is contingent on remaining resources and the match of results to prior expectations of the evaluator.…

Practical suggestions to an evaluator are presented. It is seen as essential that an evaluator who would influence decision making through research realize that the research in which he engages, the data collected, and the analysis and interpretation are influenced by the values of the institution that the evaluator serves. (MLW)

Describes the rationale, structure, and operation of a new evaluation procedure in which pro and con presentations are made to a hearing panel that recommends action on the question posed. Suggestions are made for further improvement and development of this new procedure. (Author)

The comprehensive model for evaluating nursing education programs is described in terms of what is evaluated; who conducts the evaluation; and why it is conducted. A structure for further action and decision making is also presented. (GDC)

Evaluation occurs within existing programs and power arrangements of complex organizations. It may develop as a licensed concession within a program or as an expression of a concession made to the ideal of rational decision making. The formation of professional career paths in evaluation may lead to career immobility. (Author/MH)

Case studies of educational program evaluations demonstrate that utilization of evaluative information occurs; however, its forms and the forces influencing utilization are complex. Naturalistic methods were used to study utilization. (See RIE: ED 174 666). (Available from: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 433 California St., San Francisco, CA 94104, single…

The process of reporting evaluation results is described in terms of communications theory. Results of several simulated studies of factors which influence the credibility of evaluators and reports are summarized, and implications are discussed. (Available from: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 433 California St., San Francisco, CA 94104, single issue, $6.95.)…

Causes of evaluator bias are: overemphasizing concrete, salient, and retrievable information; reporting only evidence which confirms hypothesis; focusing on stable personality factors, rather than on situation and environment; developing positive perceptions of a program as both an evaluator and a highly involved participant; statistical naivete;…

Evaluation research is a new area of interest, and provokes many questions about the appropriate direction for its development. Whether it should be an independent discipline or a specialty within other fields is argued. Approaches to training so as to permit development of a model are suggested. (Author/GK)

Findings indicated that the judges were not able to determine accurately which items were more difficult for minority students and that there was no significant difference in accuracy between judges of the different ethnic backgrounds. (Author)

The purpose of this research was to develop an efficient peer rating system for small group work projects, designed to help overcome inhibitions to accurate evaluation due to the presence of social norms against harming a fellow student's grade, halo effects, leniency effects, and homogeneous rating tendencies. (Author)

Differences among impartiality, objectivity, partisanship, fanaticism, and skepticism are viewed as relevant to the role of the evaluator. The desirability of establishing a community of minds committed to argumentation before beginning an evaluation is suggested. (Author/CTM)

The Interrater/Test Reliability System (ITRS) is described. The ITRS is a comprehensive computer tool used to address questions of interrater reliability that computes several different indices of interrater reliability and the generalizability coefficient over raters and topics. The system is available in IBM compatible or Macintosh format. (SLD)