The frequency and richness of the theories developed, tested, and used by researchers in an academic discipline exemplify several pertinent factors, namely, the growth, the maturity, the independence, the legitimacy, and the influence of the discipline. Although organizations have been working on projects for centuries, Project Management (PM) is…

The purpose of the present article is to assess the impact that recent federal policies have had on education research. Using published journal articles as a data source, the study examines reports on the frequency of use for terms representing federal priorities for education research (experimental, randomization, hypothesis, and quantitative)…

Valuation shows promise as a disciplinary core of social science evaluation research. Previous attempts by those involved in social science to define evaluation by method and/or process have failed. It is argued that the fallacies of the dichotomizing fact and value confusing ethical neutrality with objectivity must be avoided. (TJH)

The historical linkages between the evolution of the survey research method and applied social research is reviewed. It is argued that most or all of the elements of the modern survey were developed in response to immediate, practical (as opposed to academic) concerns. (TJH)

The goal of this article is to improve the practice and reporting of cost estimates of prevention programs. It reviews the steps in estimating the costs of an intervention and the principles that should guide estimation. The authors then review prior efforts to estimate intervention costs using a sample of well-known but diverse studies. Finally,…

This article reviews the agricultural research evaluation literature in an effort to assess the extent of coverage in this area. Coverage breakdowns with respect to evaluation approaches, types of research, and products and production processes are presented. Results suggest that there has been limited coverage of research undertaken in…

The purpose of this article is to review evidence concerning the joint impact of family characteristics and child care experiences in understanding children's development. Although child care experiences are related to children's development across a variety of domains, family characteristics, particularly socioeconomic status and parenting…

An analysis of how misapplication of criterion validity procedures involving mono rather than multiple operationalization of criterion measures has resulted in underappreciation of self-report research methods is provided. Further research on the validity of behavioral and self-report indices is recommended. (Author/AL)

This article reviews a subsection of leisure research--studies on visitor characteristics, reactions, and behaviors in recreational settings. Four areas of visitor evaluation research are examined: (1) museums; (2) natural environments; (3) tourist sites, and (4) tourist facilities. The role of the psychologist in the development and improvement…

Results of evaluation research studies, even those that are meticulously designed and carefully executed, often are not implemented. This article examines some of the critical factors that mediate between the carrying out of evaluation research and the utilization of findings. To illustrate these factors, two case studies are analyzed. (Author/EGS)

Findings of a review of 64 meta-analytic articles show that experimental data and quasi-experimental or nonexperimental data are sometimes combined incorrectly. Discusses how guidance from proponents of meta-analysis fails to make clear the importance of not synthesizing different kinds of data. (SLD)

The main rationale for defining two-parent families eligible for welfare was to keep families intact by eliminating an incentive for union dissolution. But there are other reasons for family instability, most notably women's reduced economic gain from marriage associated with having a chronically unemployed husband. This article explores the…

The use of evaluations for policy and program development and change is critically reviewed. Existing conceptions of utilization are discussed and improvements in the methods of detecting use are suggested. Five clusters of variables affecting utilization are described and hypotheses about the reasons for their effects are outlined. (Author/AL)

Seven studies commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor measuring the net market impacts of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act are reviewed. Their purpose was to generate informed debate on the efficacy of quasi-experimental designs and structural economic models to evaluate federally subsidized employment and training programs. (BS)