A systems method for the identification of variable service needs of the elderly

Current trends in the aging sector make critical the development of more precision in the policy and decision-making processes. This study explores a strategy for improving service allocation decisions in the aging services area. Two research tools were combined—Delphi and magnitude estimation—to identify the perceptions of key decision makers about the variable service needs of different aging risk groups. The results indicate that such distinctions can be made and can provide the basis of improving several aspects of the allocation process.     

The use of participant observation in evaluation research

In the last several years considerable interest has developed in the use of qualitative methods in evaluation research. Recent works indicate that the tradition of qualitative research has much that will be useful to evaluation researchers. This paper does not seek to cover the range of qualitative methods available to the evaluation researcher but rather is concerned with one methodology in that tradition, participant observation. The paper describes the methodology of participant observation for those who are interested in its characteristics and for those who would like to consider it for evaluation or other types of research. Examples are given of how it has been used and references to additional sources of information are included as well. The paper is organized into three sections: characteristics of participant observation, when it is appropriate to use it, and specific techniques of the method.     

The ers standards for program evaluation: Guidance for a fledging profession

THE ERS Standards, together with those of the Joint Committee, symbolize a commitment to the professionalization of evaluation. The two sets of standards, however, differ on at least five important dimensions: the perceived linearity of evaluation activities; preferred and permitted approaches (with one set heavily favoring quantitative/experimental approaches over any others); the purposes of evaluation; obligations to clients and stakeholders; and whether or not social science can be value-free (objective). Because these fundamental assumptions are so divergent, the possibility of combining or effecting a compromise between the two sets appears unlikely at this time.     

Racial discrimination and the social organization of industries

This study investigates the relationship between several factors of the social organization of labor markets and racial discrimination during the late 1960s. Log-linear models are used to obtain indicators of the relative opportunities of black and white men to obtain different occupations across each of 38 industrial segments. We then examine the nature of the relationship between these indicators of discrimination and a number of aspects of industries suggested to be important by various theories of discrimination. The results indicate that relative black opportunities were favorably influenced by government employment, industrial and white collar (but not craft) unionization, and product market power, and they were adversely influenced by profitability and customer preferences for nonretail sales workers. Of particular interest is the finding that, contrary to the hypothesis derived from neoclassical economics, market power had a positive effect on black opportunities.     

The impact of the Soviet Union upon the U.S. feed/livestock sector— An assessment

In this article, the impact of volatile Soviet Union corn imports on the U.S. feed/livestock sector is analyzed using an econometric model. The model's attention to supply response when feed price changes enables it to determine the nature of the effect of exogenous shocks across feed and livestock sectors. The model is used in historical simulation to demonstrate the effects of actual and alternative paths of variable Soviet import demand and to explore the difficulties of deriving a stabilizatior policy for these linked sectors.     

论健全与完善我国的政务公开制度

政务公开是手段,是形式,其根本目的是给群众以知情权、决策权和监督权。随着形势的发展和条件的变化,人民群众对政务公开的要求越来越高。各级党政机关应采取有效措施,在思想认识上要不断提高,在运行措施上要真正到位,在配套体系上要逐步完善,使政务公开工作不断推上新的台阶。     

Management consulting and evaluation

The basic functions and procedures of management consulting are contrasted here with formal program evaluation. A case example further illustrates the differing approaches used in programmatic problem solving. The similarities and differences between these two professional specializations are highlighted in order to understand better the unique but complementary contribution each makes to the improvement of program operations.     

Alternatives and options in computer content analysis

First developed in the early 1960s, computer content analysis methods stimulated renewed interest in the quantitative analysis of verbal materials. Continued research and development of such methods produced a range of current alternatives and options. Investigators can choose between advanced systems varying widely in amount of theoretical prestructuring required and complexity of units of analysis, or they can devise less complex systems built upon basic work processing programs.     

Bringing the cops back in: A study of efforts to make the criminal justice system more responsive to incidents of family violence

This paper examines the ways in which the criminal justice system typically responds to incidents of violence between adult members of the same household and then using a three equation, nonrecursive time series model considers the impact of efforts in one locale to improve law enforcement practices. Three questions are addressed: (a) can the apparent underreporting of domestic violence by police be improved; (b) can the quality of information funneled from police to the District Attorney's office be enhanced; and (c) can the number of offenders held accountable for their actions be increased?