NCJ Number
15367
Date Published
1972
Length
378 pages
Annotation
CONTRIBUTIONS BY EVALUATORS EXPERIENCED IN A RANGE OF SUBSTANTIVE FIELDS WHICH DISCUSS THE PURPOSES OF EVALUATION AND THE METHODS BY WHICH IT OBTAINS INFORMATION AND GENERATES CONCLUSIONS.
Abstract
RATHER THAN GIVING A SET OF PREFABRICATED RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS, THE CONTRIBUTIONS POINT OUT THE CONSTRAINTS WITHIN WHICH EVALUATION OPERATES AND SUGGESTS ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES OF DESIGN, MEASUREMENT, STRUCTURE, RELATIONSHIP, AND COMMUNICATION IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE TO EXISTING CONSTRAINTS AND TO SERVE THE INFORMATIONAL NEEDS OF PROGRAMS. THE PAPERS DEAL WITH THE PURPOSES OF EVALUATION. STUDY DESIGNS APPROPRIATE FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES, MEASUREMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND INPUTS, AND USE OF EVALUATION RESULTS IN FUTURE PROGRAM DECISIONS. THE BOOK IDENTIFIES AREAS OF CONSENSUS THAT HAVE EMERGED ACROSS PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTIES. IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES THAT REMAIN CONTROVERSIAL. THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION COMPARES AND CONTRASTS THE INDIVIDUAL PAPERS AND PLACES THEM IN PERSPECTIVE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)