Opposes the practice of aggregating impacts on outcome dimensions to arrive at one summary assessment of program merit. Suggests that impacts should be kept separate and unweighted, expressed in their own measurement scales. Illustrates this method through an evaluation of the effects of research grants on a university. (SLD)

Shows how to bridge the gap between collaborative evaluations with extensive stakeholder participation and noncollaborative evaluations in which stakeholders do not participate to a great degree. Synthesizes research that shows that interaction with stakeholders helps enhance validity in noncollaborative evaluations. (SLD)

Describes key issues to consider in evaluating community capacity based on four community-based health programs that have included increasing community capacity or a related concept as one of the defined outcomes of their program and their subsequent evaluations. Two programs were rural, and the others, urban. (SLD)

Goal-based training has specific, predetermined objectives, whereas goal-free training involves implementation of innovations whose outcomes cannot be predicted. Evaluation of goal-free training must consider clients' requirements, the effectiveness of the initiative, and application of feedback. (SK)

Compares participants in a parent education program [Parents' Education about Children's Emotions Program (PEACE)] mandated for divorcing parents with a similar sample of individuals who had not participated in such a program. Although the findings provide little evidence for the longer-term impact of this program, the program participants…

Introduces this special issue on multilevel models. The first two articles examine the application of multilevel modeling (MLM) in the evaluation of large-scale multi-site interventions. The next two articles focus on developmental and longitudinal data analysis, and the last two describe innovative applications of MLM. (SLD)

Suggests that performance measurement can address attribution questions in studying accountability for results and outcomes in studies of public administration. Describes the steps necessary to produce a credible "contribution story" so that managers, researchers, and policy makers can arrive at conclusions about the contribution a…

Studied the perspectives of 15 individuals in 3 different stakeholder groups in the context of training evaluation: training sponsors, training providers, and training participants. Discusses the differing perspectives in terms of a three-dimensional schema of collaborative inquiry and evaluation and discusses implications for training and program…

Evaluating the impact of volunteer programs should measure both program outcomes and volunteer growth and development. The Targeting Outcomes of Programs Model is a structured way to collect data on several levels. (SK)

There is a need for models of health care that provide accessible, culturally appropriate, quality services to the population of Hispanic migrant farmworkers at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes. The purposes of this study were to describe the Migrant Health Service, Inc (MHSI), Diabetes Program, the conceptual model on which it is based, and 4…

Can this evaluation be saved? More precisely, can this evaluation be saved in such a way that both evaluator and client feel satisfied that their points of view were respected and both agree that the evaluation itself provides valid information obtained in a principled manner? Because the scenario describes a preliminary discussion and no contract…

The authors discuss the use of multiple evaluation approaches in conducting program evaluations. Specifically, they illustrate four evaluation approaches (theory-driven, consumer-based, empowerment, and inclusive evaluation) and briefly discuss a fifth (use-focused evaluation) as a side effect of the use of the others. The authors also address the…

Describes the oral history project and the team that worked on this oral history of program evaluation. Presents an interview with William R. Shadish, a program evaluation theorist and practitioner. (SLD)

Dual enrollment programs have been offered formally in Virginia since 1988 and have been embraced by both parents and students. While dual enrollment courses offer many advantages to students, the advantages to colleges are significant as well. In this article, the author lists the advantages of dual credit enrollment.

Reasons for unintended consequences of program action are explained. Although this topic has been dealt with extensively in the field of planning, that literature provides little guidance for how evaluation methodologies can be improved. Implications for evaluation are provided by drawing the distinction between consequences that are unforeseen…