This paper reviews what has been learned about evaluation ultilization during the past 20 years. Evaluation utilization is discussed in terms of what is used, who uses evaluation, when evaluation is used, how evaluation is used, where evaluation is used, and why evaluation is used. It is suggested that the personal factor - the interests and…

Highlights contributions sociologists can make to major social issues through an emphasis on theoretical ideas and analysis in graduate education. Concludes that recognition of the relationship between theoretical ideas and research procedures is necessary for greater sociological contributions. (Author/DH)

The school review program includes evaluation of the principal's performance, observation of all teachers and programs, school climate analysis, parental preferences and suggestions, and recommendations and planning reports. Recommendations fall into three categories: maintenance, consideration, and problem areas. The program is used in the Red…

Two examples from the law enforcement field are presented in support of Ginsberg's (TM 508 964) view that social dysfunctionality follows from the attempt to distribute scarce resources in a manner that appears politically legitimate. (BW)

The article suggests supplementing the social problem study groups and data synthesis approaches to building knowledge with emphasis on synthesizing reviews. Such reviews would strengthen the evaluation profession and promote utilization of the knowledge base generated by evaluators. (DWH)

Illustrates steps in the evaluation process, reports findings from the evaluation, demonstrates the importance of planning evaluations before programs are implemented, and encourages the use of evaluation techniques in program development. (JOW)

It is argued that the information needs of stakeholders should be incorporated directly into the formulation of evaluation objectives, and the design of the evaluation. The paper presents a rationale for the stakeholder survey, describes its major components, and reports on the application of the approach in a large program evaluation. (Author/BW)

The concepts and tools of change process research are applied to the study of evaluation utilization. In defining utilization as an innovation, evaluation use is described as a process which must be assessed at both the individual and organizational level and across time and evaluation studies. (Author/LC)

This objection to M. Scriven's claim that the basic logic of evaluation is criterial and standards-based notes that valuing is an integral part of perception. Disciplining the synthesis process through critiques of interpretations and values and by using competing conceptual organizers is discussed. (SLD)

A discussion of current issues in evaluation, related to society's expectation that evaluation is based on scientific authority, is followed by an exploration of concepts of "validity" and "values." The role of the evaluator is increasingly involved in issues of ethics and social justice. (SLD)

Use of decision support systems (DSS) to increase the utilization of management science models and accounting information is discussed. It is argued that application of the conceptual foundations of DSS to evaluation and other forms of applied social research is an effective means of increasing evaluation utilization by policymakers. (TJH)

Contends that wise management human resources decisions may yield direct payroll savings in fewer workers for compatible production; controllable personnel turnover; greater flexibility to achieve new and emergency jobs; low waste, reject and accident programs; and low sick absences. Systematic follow-up must be integral part of effort to achieve…

This paper presents an analysis of the stability of principal components. Stability is measured by the expectation of the absolute inner product of the sample principal component with the corresponding population component. The usefulness and predictive validity of the model were supported through simulation. (SLD)

The conjoint approach to measurement and analysis is demonstrated with a test of an evaluation utilization process-model that includes two endogenous variables (predicted participation and predicted instrumental evaluation). Conjoint measurement involves having respondents rate profiles that are analogues to concepts based on cells in a factorial…

The manner in which evaluation has been translated by a number of West European political cultures is explored. The importance of determining whether policy evaluation is being used as an instrument of improved integration of policies or as an agent for disintegration of policies is emphasized. (SLD)