Describes the process of developing and evaluating a formative and summative evaluation tool to assess undergraduate nursing students' ability to use the nursing process in a variety of health care settings. (Author)

The sensitivity and simplicity of Wald's sequential analysis test in monitoring a preventive health care program are discussed. Data exemplifying the usefulness and expedience of employing sequential methods are presented. (Author/GK)

Examines distinctions and assumptions underlying methods of argument analysis and criticism and defends descriptive diagrams such as the Toulmin model as illuminating methodological tools. Discusses defining characteristics of argument, presents an application of the Toulmin system, and details the presuppositions associated with context-sensitive…

Describes procedure to measure a new course's ability to meet standards in three areas: student acceptance, student gains, and student comprehension. It has been used over three years to test the acceptability of 31 courses which contain more than 200 videotape presentations, and thousands of pages of print materials. (Author/JEG)

Encourages the use of evaluation research rather than process, impact, or comprehensive evaluation; and notes that meaningful evaluation research can occur when the true experiment is combined with longitudinal designs. (JEG)

Taxonomies were generated from theorists in counseling and psychotherapy. Goal clusters included: Transfer of Therapy Learning to Outside Situations, Awareness and Acceptance of Self in Conflict, Specific Symptom Removal, and Awareness of Positive Inner Resources. Process clusters included: Client Acceptance, Active Critical Questioning, and…

Focuses on the formative evaluation of games in order to improve their instructional effectiveness and motivational strength. (Author)

A program of inservice training for educational radio broadcasters in developing countries is outlined. The trainees learn to conduct formative evaluation on their programming. (BD)

Areas of evaluation are identified in which the formative/summative distinction appears inadequate: (1) knowledge-generating evaluations aimed at conceptual use; (2) developmental evaluation; and (3) use of evaluation to support intervention or empower participants. An argument is also made for the effectiveness of feedback that cannot be…

The viewpoints of contributors to the forum are reviewed. Many of the disagreements represent fundamental differences in what constitutes evaluation. All four authors agree that the formative/summative distinction is useful and will continue to be an important concept in program evaluation, although the distinction needs greater clarification.…

Formative evaluation is a means of improving instructional materials through tryouts and revision. An investigation to determine the influence of learners and experts on the improvement of written instructional materials determined that revised versions incorporating learner feedback had the most impact on improving learning and that revisers have…

Outlines a workshop to develop and discuss strategies for formative evaluation of courseware and to create evaluation tools appropriate to those strategies. After watching a software demonstration, small groups devised evaluation strategies. Two approaches were identified: one to evaluate the software and printed material separately and together,…

Reports outcomes of a collaborative research project designed to investigate and develop formative classroom assessment in British primary schools. Aims to build on basic research, already conducted by university researchers, by investigating issues from a practical and applied perspective. Reports on changes in classroom practice. (BT)

Describes the electronic portfolio system developed at the University of Michigan to give each student, faculty member, and staff member lifelong ownership and control of an individual electronic portfolio. Describes the system's design standards and the range of formative and summative evaluation activities the portfolio supports. (SLD)

Computers can offer valuable assistance in the development and administration of personalized tests. This article provides an overview of different types of conventional and personalized tests and explores computerized adaptive testing. Also proposes a specific methodology for managing diagnostic adaptive tests and a hypertext system (HyperDelfi)…