This article demonstrates a novel application of propensity score matching techniques: to estimate nonexperimental impacts on program participants within the context of an experimental research design. The author examines the relationship between program participation, defined as qualifying for an earnings supplement by working full-time, and…

Use of analysis of covariance or multiple regression can lead to Type I errors in pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group designs. Analysis of the interaction term of a repeated model analysis of variance was shown to help identify areas of significant change. The standardized difference score, effect size, suggested meaningful differences.…

This study examined 38 textbooks, published between 1977 and 1981 in the fields of social work and education. Evaluations were frequently cited. Compared to social work texts, education texts cited significantly more program outcome findings; social work texts tended to cite more references dealing with recipient characteristics. (Author/PN)

To explore the treatment fidelity of employee safety-belt programs, 614 organizations were divided into 2 groups: those that had (n=183), and those that had not (n=431) conducted an evaluation. Multiple regression analysis of associated data indicated that evaluation-active organizations were generally more active in other program areas. (TJH)

A model for student evaluation of the effectiveness of particular adult education instructors and settings is described. Importance-Performance Analysis--the two-scale model used--identifies the relative importance of factors influencing student preferences and indicates the degree to which a particular setting possesses these factors. (TJH)

Evaluation of industrial research and development (R&D) must be simple and low cost, and it must contribute to corporate goals without distracting researchers from their research. These points are illustrated with reference to General Electric's Research and Development Center, which is the company's corporate laboratory. (SLD)

Foundation awards for evaluation work granted between 1972 and 1983 are described in terms of size of grants, nature of recipients and supporting foundations, yearly and geographic distribution patterns, and topical areas of primary support. Foundation resource materials are summarized. (Author/DWH)

The problem of drawing causal inferences from retrospective case-controlled studies is considered. A model for causal inference in prospective studies is applied to retrospective studies. Limitations of case-controlled studies are formulated concerning relevant parameters that can be estimated in such studies. A coffee-drinking/myocardial…

Although widely available, little is known about the effectiveness of youth cessation treatments delivered in real-world settings. The authors recruited a nonprobability sample of 41 community-based group-format programs that treated at least 15 youth per year and included evidence-based treatment components. Data collection included longitudinal…

Procedures for using the Interactive Teaching Map to collect data and construct reliable measures of program implementation and outcomes are illustrated using data from the Delinquency Research and Development Project. Implementation analysis incorporating measures from classroom observation data can add to traditional experimental control group…

Early evidence from an evaluation of the Child and Family Resource Program (a Head Start demonstration) suggests that this program influences parent-child interaction in ways that promote children's social and cognitive development. (Author)

A study involving 1,800 teachers and 180 headmasters assessed the nature and scope of activities and problems associated with implementing federally mandated continuous educational assessment activities at the primary school level in Nigeria. Findings indicate that continuous assessment is preferred to the narrower one-shot evaluation. (TJH)

Process evaluation of a residential alcohol and drug treatment program for the homeless, the New Orleans Homeless Substance Abusers Project, found that treatment effects were in a positive direction, but were rarely significant. Retention in treatment for more than a few months was associated with more positive outcomes. (SLD)

Seventy clients participated in eight focus groups intended to identify clients' perceptions of vocational rehabilitation program strengths and weaknesses. The advantages of using a social science model applied to focus groups and the ways client empowerment can be a central theme in such efforts are explored. (SLD)

Data analysis approaches for program evaluation under the conditions of natural experiments are explored, using evaluation of the DARE program of drug use prevention among elementary school students as an example. The suggested methodology uses multiple independent analyses to demonstrate the convergence or divergence of program outcomes. (SLD)