Reporting Evaluation Results

DOE-STD-1070-94

REPORTING EVALUATION RESULTS

As stated previously, evaluations can be conducted as a comprehensive evaluation or as a

series of topical evaluations. Therefore, the evaluation report may address a single objective

or criterion (topical) or may be comprehensive depending on the type of evaluation conducted.

The topical approach may be used over a period of time to evaluate the entire program. If this

method is used, a report should be written for each segment of the evaluation. In this case,

individual reports should be combined into a comprehensive report that addresses the entire

program at the completion of all individual segments. This comprehensive report should

include a section that draws conclusions from the results of the individual reports relative to

the overall effectiveness of the entire training program.

As training program reviews are being performed, the evaluator should record field notes. In

most cases these are briefly written notes that can be referred to at a later time. These notes

do not have to contain a long narrative description of what is, or is not, being accomplished in

support of the criteria. When all of the information related to the review has been obtained,

the evaluator should document the results. The problem, reason, example, proposal (PREP)

method is an effective means for recording findings. The evaluator(s) document a concern

with the training program by briefly stating the problem, explaining the reason why it is a

problem, giving specific examples of the problem's existence, and providing a proposal or

recommendation for resolving the problem. Upon completion of the data gathering phase of

the evaluation, the evaluator(s) should review all of the information and develop an evaluation

report. A differentiation should be made in the evaluation report between a finding that

requires specific corrective action and a finding that identifies a program strength or

noteworthy practice. Programs or activities that are positive examples of effective training

programs or methods or which are considered noteworthy should be made available to other

DOE facilities, as appropriate.

There are several characteristics of an effective report that should be considered regardless of

whether the single segment or total program evaluation approach is used. However, the

person(s) writing the evaluation report should follow locally prescribed procedures or policies

when compiling the report. Incorporating these characteristics into a report increases the

probability that the report will be understood. An effective report must be organized, factual,