ABSTRACT

This chapter is an attempt to remove some of the unnecessary and mysterious procedures, which sometimes seem inherent in evaluation research. In demystifying evaluation research, the purpose is to help illuminate a process of importance to a rational society which attempts to induce social change. Most often that attempt involves the creation of programs designed to improve the health, education, or social welfare of the populace. This important process of program evaluation seems to be almost deliberately obscured by its own practitioners who are sometimes more committed to the elegance of their procedures than to the usefulness of their research. There is considerable face validity to the grades teachers award their pupils, as an indicator of academic success. Studies compared the school grades of Head Start children and comparison groups. Peter H. Rossi, arguably the dean of evaluation research, concludes that "no firm evidence can be found to indicate that Head Start is effective or ineffective in producing any outcomes.