| Abstract: | The paper suggests that a useful step towards linking research with decision‐making is to attempt some working definitions. “Evaluation” simply means setting a value to something: in this case a learning process, provided or supported by educational broadcasting. “Research” is a more slippery word, meaning different things at different times. Here it is taken to mean any systematic collection of evidence, designed to test a hypothesis or to answer specific questions, which evidence can be used in the making of future decisions. So evaluation is a purpose and research is a method. It is hoped that the method serves the purpose. This largely depends on its success in answering three basic questions: Are the objectives clear and likely to be useful? Are the methods effective and manageable? Are the applications practicable? The paper considers these questions in relation to the two main styles of evaluation in adult education: formative and summative. |
