This article presents a method for disentangling the effects of an intervention from changes that are due to growth and regression to the mean. The method is illustrated in the context of evaluating the effect of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on infant growth. (Author/LC)

A broad conceptual framework is presented as a tool to guide researchers toward identification and development of variables in policy implementation studies. Concepts for developing variables to measure the "amount" of implementation and variables to identify the aspects of policy that need to be incorporated in a study are discussed.…

A novel solution to the statistical problems in an evaluation of rare events is described. The significance of variations in the number of child homicides is analyzed in a binary time series of "active" months for monitoring future incidence and related systemic events. (Author/CM)

Recognizing that community acceptance of potential juvenile justice treatment programs often determines the success or failure of the programs, an assessment model was developed to assist in policy planning. The procedure applies the tenets and methods of subjective expectancy utility models. (Author/GK)

Ratings of evaluation consultant and evaluation report were influenced by use of jargon and data but were generally unrelated to whether they were read by a lay or professional audiences. In contrast, extent of agreement with recommendations were related to audience type and rarely related to the style of the report. (Author/GK)

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)

An interjudge reliability test was conducted to evaluate questionnaires used in the surveillance of residential care institutions in Israel. Results from 32 institutions (evaluated by two surveyor teams--one social worker and 1 nurse per team) and the variance in reliability were used to improve the questionnaires and their administration. (SLD)

Using a two-year time series, the impact on law enforcement pursuit behavior of two changes in pursuit policy in a police department was studied using the ARIMA computer program and Tobit analysis. Each policy change produced significant reductions in pursuits engaged in by police officers. (SLD)

Evaluated the accuracy of three methods used to obtain policy data: (1) government surveys; (2) secondary sources; and (3) historical legal research. Findings from a study of changes in state legislation show legal research to be most accurate for established laws, but multistage data best for recent laws. (SLD)

Reports on the evaluation of an advocacy program to promote preschool education for Arab children in Israel. Used a quasi-experimental repeated-measures design to assess outcomes through collection of archival data for 10 years in 45 Arab towns. Findings indicate the success of the program. (SLD)

An empirical test of a method of teacher evaluation by predicting student performance and comparing it with actual outcomes is described. Results from 6,249 urban fifth graders in 103 schools suggest that teachers can be evaluated in this way and that the best and worst teachers can be identified. (SLD)

Participants in Comprehensive Employment and Training Act-sponsored classroom training, on the job-training, and subsidized work experience were compared to a Current Population Survey sample. Female participants in all types of training had increased earnings (primarily due to increased employment), while males did not. (GDC)

Using data from a sales campaign for the Arizona State lottery, a multiplist strategy of program evaluation is analyzed. Several complementary designs are used within the strategy to help remove threats to internal validity associated with the nonequivalent control group design. (SLD)

Two methods for dividing an interrupted time-series study between baseline and experimental phases when study resources are limited are compared. In fixed designs, the baseline duration is predetermined. In flexible designs the baseline duration is contingent on remaining resources and the match of results to prior expectations of the evaluator.…

Results from a study of 284 young men receiving vocational rehabilitation in North Carolina programs for 18 to 22 year olds are provided. Findings suggest that carefully integrated and implemented vocational training and reentry programs for youthful property offenders can reduce the rate at which such individuals are arrested after release. (SLD)