CONDUCTING EVALUATIVE RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTING ITS RESULTS - DILEMMAS FOR BOTH ADMINISTRATORS AND RESEARCHERS

• NCJ Number: 53959
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING/SUMMER 1978) Pages: 15-28
• Author(s): D SZABO; S RIZKALLA
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Wichita State University
• Sale Source: Wichita State University
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 1977 PRICE QUOTED ABOVE IS FOR SINGLE ISSUE

Annotation

THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF EVALUATION, PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING EVALUATION RESULTS, AND PARTICULAR PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE INSTITUTIONS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

DISCUSSION OF A VARIETY OF DEFINITIONS OF EVALUATION REVEALS THAT EVALUATIVE RESEARCH HAS SEVERAL FACETS WHICH CONCERN ITS OWN OBJECTIVES AS WELL AS ITS CONTENT OR THE FUNCTIONS IT CAN FULFILL. POSSIBLE APPROACHES TO EVALUATIVE RESEARCH ARE DISCUSSED UNDER THE FOLLOWING MODELS: (1) THE GOAL ATTAINMENT MODEL, WHICH PLACES EMPHASIS ON THE MEASUREMENT OF THE DEGREE OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE ENCOUNTERED BY THE PROGRAM IN REACHING PREDETERMINED OBJECTIVES; (2) THE SYSTEM MODEL, WHICH PLACES EMPHASIS ON MEASURING THE DEGREE TO WHICH AN ORGANIZATION REALIZES ITS GOALS UNDER A GIVEN SET OF CONDITIONS; AND (3) HARD VERSUS SOFT DATA, WHICH STRESSES THE QUANTITATIVE METHOD OF EVALUATION. THERE IS A NEED TO DEVISE MORE EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG EVALUATORS, AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS, AND POLICYMAKERS IN THE PROMOTION OF CONTINUOUS RESEARCH. IN EXAMINING THIS ISSUE, THE STUDY EXPLORES REASONS WHY A LACK OF COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG EVALUATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND POLICYMAKERS HAS PREVAILED UP TO THE PRESENT, AND SOLUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED THAT WILL CREATE A FAVORABLE CLIMATE FOR RESEARCH AND IMPROVE COOPERATION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS AND RESEARCHERS. IN DISCUSSING PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING EVALUATION RESULTS, TWO SETS OF FACTORS ARE IDENTIFIED WHICH ACCOUNT FOR THE NONUTILIZATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS: (1) FACTORS LINKED WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE EVALUATION RESULTS AND (2) FACTORS LINKED WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF EVALUATION PRACTICE. WAYS OF DEALING WITH THESE FACTORS ARE SUGGESTED. PARTICULAR PROBLEMS RELATED TO IMPLEMENTING THE RESULTS OF EVALUATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE INSTITUTION ARE CONSIDERED. A REASONABLE DEGREE OF CONSENSUS ON GOALS MUST BE ACHIEVED AMONG THE VARIOUS AGENCIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AREA IF THE RESULTS OF EVALUATION ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.