title: Program evaluation. Part 1: Four generations of theory.
abstract: Program evaluation is necessary for understanding and improving educational programs in nursing, but it is frequently surrounded by a climate of unease and perplexity. This first article in a two-part series reviews and evaluates extant models of program evaluation using Guba and Lincoln's four generations of evaluation as a theoretical framework. The second article (November/December 1990) examines the state-of-the-art of program evaluation in nursing education and proposes implementation of a responsive model of program evaluation in schools of nursing. The series aims to foster more dynamic, efficient program analysis, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of nursing's educational programs.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sarnecky
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*