I__. - International Military Testing Association

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CONCLUSION
Sometimes evaluators are hesitant to perform evaluations such
as the one just described because they are too messy and imprecise.
When we are coerced to perform them, we tend to apologize for the
product. These evaluations do little more than provide a
historical description the program in terms of its components and
its performance. But even these evaluations serve two important
functions. First, they provide concise, accurate descriptive
information to program managers, information otherwise not
available to them. Secondly, they establish a climate conducive to
evaluation. Managers become aware that many questions they would
like to have answered conclusively could be answered if evaluators -'
are consulted early in the modification process.
In summary, our advice is to accept those messy evaluation
projects, adapt proven evaluation methodology/procedures to your
particular set of circumstances, and conduct the evaluation,
exercising controls to validity wherever possible. At best, you'll
be able to analyze the data and draw cause and effect relationships
with reasonable accuracy. At worst, you'll be able to synthesize
the data and describe changes, suggesting possible causes. In
either case, the client will have more information and be better
equipped to make informed decisions than he/she would have been
otherwise.
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