Criterion development is seen as the perennial issue in evaluation research. No other problem persists in the same way or makes the college or university more vulnerable to outside criticism. The need for subjective agreement among users and interpreters and for giving evidence of validity regarding eventual educational outcomes is noted.…

Issues involved in measuring the achievement of institutional goals are outlined. Institutional survival, if not well-being, is shown to depend on symmetry between intent and delivery. The latter depends at least partially upon demonstrated progress toward the achievement of goals and community expectations. (Author/LBH)

After six years of experience with the present instrument, it is contended that the Institutional Goals Inventory can assist institutional researchers in assessing campus sentiment on almost all the goal conceptions that can be reasonably imagined for a given campus. (Author/LBH)

The University of Toledo has applied a systems approach to the design of an academic program evaluation model. The systems approach seems to be the most appropriate because it emphasizes the whole system instead of component systems. Selected evaluation models are reviewed, Toledo's research paradigm is described, and the function of a university…

A rapidly emerging, traditionally Black university--North Carolina Central--examined its goals in a study that shows how the results were used by the institution to improve itself. Reasons for the study, procedures used, and the results are discussed. (Author/LBH)

A general context for defining and using goals in institutional research is discussed, contributions of authors in this journal issue are reviewed, and implications for research are examined. (Author/LBH)

Institutional planners responsible for setting enrollment objectives and levels must develop an understanding of college market structure, choose among alternative approaches to market assessment, and apply appropriate methods for measuring patterns of competition. (Author/MSE)

Increasing demands for accurate forecasts in such areas as student enrollment, energy expenditures, and facility capacity are placing new demands on the institutional researcher. A variety of forecasting models and methods are available, all to be used with caution in long-range forecasting. (Author/MSE)

The widespread use of comparative data can lead to problems on a campus unless the data are systematically incorporated in the institutional planning cycle. A model has been developed to alleviate a number of problems and increase the power of comparison as a management tool. (MSE)

Comparison is inherent to system and state coordination activities and is valuable for overall review and for identifying differential needs. A variety of factors affect interinstitutional comparisons, and close cooperation between boards and institutions can increase the effectiveness of the process. (MSE)

Issues in the evaluation of the college planning process are examined, and 13 questions to be addressed in assessing both strategic and operational planning functions are presented, including criteria for evaluating (1) the decisional aspect of planning, (2) planning data, and (3) the process. Evaluation methods are also discussed. (MSE)

College and university information is poorly developed for the purpose of making strategic choices and management guidance. A strategic triangle, with critical success factors at each vertex, can help model appropriate information. (Author/MLW)

The advent of decision support systems, specific computer applications for organizational decision-making, redefines the primary professional role of institutional researchers, but a more comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior and development is necessary for them to work well. (MSE)

While microcomputers may be easy to acquire and put into use, advance consideration of some pertinent issues will ensure that they are used successfully for planning and management support. (Author/MLW)

Scanning the external environment will become more essential to colleges in the coming decade. Developing an environmental scanning system can identify important emerging issues that may constitute either threats or opportunities. The organizational features of a mature scanning process are described. (MLW)