NEGOTIATING MANDATES WHICH INCREASE THE ACCEPTANCE OF EVALUATION FINDINGS CONCERNING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.
André L. Delbecq · Academy of Management Proceedings · 1975
Currently, evaluation research on demonstration projects seems to have little impact on policy decisions. This paper delineates components of evaluation research design to increase technological diffusion and policy impact of demonstration projects, and the rationale behind their inclusion. They include: 1) input from administrators regarding focal issues to be included in evaluation design; 2) organizational measures as an overlay upon technological measures; 3) multiple, typical demonstration sites; 4) testing alternative treatments; 5) replication of the demonstration for feedforward learning; 6) improved communications between researchers and administrators through journalistic reporting and observation by policy level representatives; and 7) sponsorship of demonstrations by a committee representing the organizational network, rather than by a single organization.