Evaluation Methods

DOE-STD-1070-94

Facility policies, procedures, program descriptions, and records;

Training materials, such as lesson plans, guides, student handouts, and tests; and

Cognizant facility personnel.

Evaluations should be conducted at the facility, at the training center, and at other locations

where training activities occur. Evaluations should center around three major activities to

determine the extent to which training programs are meeting the objectives and criteria.

These activities include observation of training, personnel interviews, and document reviews.

Observation of training should focus on the people (both instructors and trainees), the

instructional environment, and the instructional process. The key steps involved in the

observation of training are:

Select the training to be observed, obtain a copy of the lesson plan or guide, and

review it prior to the observation;

Explain the purpose of the observation to the instructor and attend training (do not

participate in the discussion and minimize trainee attention to the observation);

Take detailed notes during the observation and write only facts;

Compare the facts observed with the desired behaviors or conditions; and

Note any strengths and/or weaknesses.

Interviews require a different set of skills to acquire information about training. Successful

interviewing is dependent on communication skills, both speaking and listening, and on good

questioning techniques. Key considerations during the interviewing process include: