Used findings from the evaluations of California's Greater Avenues for Independence program and the National Evaluation of Welfare-to-Work Strategies to illustrate why it is important to question the legitimacy of such syntheses. Results show how tempting generalizations are not justified. (SLD)

Considers the use of instrumental variables to estimate effects of treatments on treated and randomly selected groups. Concludes that instrumental variable methods are extremely sensitive to assumptions about how people process information. (SK)

Setting the context for this theme issue on responsive evaluation, this article describes the core ideas of Robert Stake's responsive evaluation, presenting them as originally framed and discussing their evolution over time. Explains that the rhetoric and ethic of responsive evaluation is to be open, to find more than the initial issues. (SLD)

Illustrates the basic and theoretical issues in evaluation with which aspiring evaluators should be familiar to claim they know the knowledge base of the profession. The issues are discussed in question and answer format. (SLD)

Presents a vocabulary of the evaluation capacity building (ECB) field and reviews the relatively small ECB literature and what it teaches for evaluation practice. Introduces the other chapters of this special issue on ECB. (SLD)

Summarizes and analyzes the four case studies of this theme issue. The analyses consider the three structural elements of evaluation capacity building (ECB): overall ECB process; actual ECB practices; and ECB occupational orientation and practitioner role. Provides a practical checklist for assessing ECB at an organization and a framework for…

Discusses postmodernism as a complicated concept. The postmodern challenge to social science, particularly to program evaluation, and its contribution to evaluation are the subjects of vignettes from practice and a limited exploration, one that borrows from a playfully absurdist postmodern style. (Author/SLD)

Reviews a collection of 10 case descriptions of ethical problems in evaluation and 10 commentaries on them that appeared in the "American Journal of Evaluation" from 1998 to 2001. Explores the meaning of "ethical problems" and the relationship of ethics to best practices. (SLD)

This paper describes a comprehensive, constituent-based evaluation approach that can yield useful information for policymakers, program planners, and administrators. The four stages are specification of constituent network; exploration of significant incentives; design of an incentive system; and assessment of the system. (JOW)

A survey that is designed to identify journals that publish evaluation research is presented. Information is provided on general circulation, submission and rejection of manuscripts, types of research most frequently published, and emerging trends in evaluation research. A list of 80 journals responding to the survey is appended. (TJH)

The readability/usefulness of a new format for the final report of the Tri-State Adoption Project--involving Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas in a television promotion effort--were evaluated. How busy decision makers (two federal, seven state, and 17 regional program officers) can be informed of evaluation research outcomes is illustrated. (TJH)

A framework of general evaluation criteria for ensuring the comprehensiveness of program reviews and appropriate and fair comparison of children's programs is outlined. It has two components: (1) descriptive; and (2) evaluative. The framework was developed by researchers at the General Accounting Office for evaluation of federal programs. (TJH)

Addresses design and evaluation issues of community-based programs for families experiencing marital separation and divorce. Reviews and discusses general programmatic issues; presents specific community-based program, The Orientation for Divorcing Parents; details evaluation of this program; and discusses implications of this literature review…

Discusses specific models for program evaluation and applies them to nursing programs. Provides guidelines for model selection and implementation to enhance the success of evaluation. (JOW)

Provides a firsthand account of visitor studies done in the early 1970s to evaluate museum exhibits effectiveness in response to erroneous information reported in the "Curator" (volume 36, number 4). (MDH)