Participatory evaluation provides for the active involvement in the evaluation process of those with a stake in the program: providers, partners, beneficiariies, and any other interested parties. Participation takes place throughout all phases of the evalution. This document describes the characteristics of participatory evaluation, and explains why and how to use this approach. This resource is intended ... Full description.

This is an overview of a field-based research experience in Earth Science teacher education program that was conducted for secondary science teachers from Prince George's County, Maryland. The goal of the program was to produce well-prepared, scientifically and technologically literate Earth Science teachers through a teaching- and research-oriented partnership between in-service teachers and a university ... Full description.

This is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods. It covers the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); ... Full description.

This handbook was developed to provide principal investigators and project evaluators with a basic understanding of selected approaches to evaluation. It is aimed at people who need to learn more about both what evaluation can do and how to do an evaluation, rather than those who already have a solid base of experience in the field. Topics include types of evaluation, an overview of the evaluation ... Full description.

NOTE: This is a large file, 81.4 mb in size! This article describes the use of an authentic regional planning public workshop activity which was modified and used to introduce the Earth surface portion of an Earth Science lecture course for undergraduate non-science majors. Students applied map-reading skills and learned about the local environment while forming opinions about how the region should ... Full description.

This paper addresses the logic of program evaluation designs. It provides a systematic approach to designing evaluations that takes into account the questions guiding a study, the constraints evaluators face in conducting it, and the information needs of its intended user. It explains the evaluation design process, types of design, and how to develop a design. It also provides an example of an evaluation. ... Full description.

This site provides guidelines for the protection of human research subjects and sample forms for the subjects to complete. It is useful for becoming familiar with the expectations and practices in evaluation research. Full description.

This User's Guide is designed to assist AmericCorps programs in meeting key evaluation needs in the areas of education, public safety, human needs and the environment. Each chapter focuses on evaluation tasks specific to an area and leads the program through a series of practical steps designed to accomplish that task. A toll-free assistance is line is avaialble for user support. Most relevant to ... Full description.

This article describes the results of an experiment in which high school graduates were enrolled in two summer science courses with extremely high goals. Rationale for this study was partly to evaluate the reasons for student attrition in physical sciences and partly to test the idea that setting high expectations results in better outcomes. In one instance, some of the students who attended a field ... Full description.

The National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, initiated by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) in 1993, is addressing what it means to be environmentally literate. The project is taking the lead in establishing guidelines for the development of balanced, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive environmental education programs. It is a multi-year ... Full description.