The Outcomes Structure: An Overview and Procedures for Applying It in Postsecondary Education Institutions.

N

84

National Inst. of Education (DHEW), Washington, DC.

Administrators; Researchers; Policymakers; Practitioners

Classification; College Administration; College Attendance; College Planning; Decision Making; Definitions; Educational Assessment; Educational Objectives; Educational Research; Needs Assessment; Outcomes of Education; Postsecondary Education; Program Evaluation; Program Implementation; Workshops

A summary of the Outcomes Structure developed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) is presented. The Outcomes Structure consists of three dimensions: those affected by the outcome (the audience); the type of outcome; and when the outcome occurs or is expected to occur (time). Potential uses of the Outcomes Structure are considered: communication; stimulation; research; and planning, management, and evaluation (e.g., needs assessment; goal identification, assessment, and translation). Guidelines are provided for using the structure to accomplish the following processes: generating lists of priority outcomes, classifying outcomes, and storing and retrieving outcomes information. Suggestions to help trainers and others orient their campus to the Outcomes Structure are included. Appendices include: the coding scheme for the structure, definitions and outcome measure or indicator examples for the type-of-outcome subcategories, an example of outcomes classified with the structure using outcome statements from the NCHEMS Outcomes Inventory, possible copy for a brochure introducing outcomes concepts and the Outcomes Structure; questions and criticisms of the structure posed by particular reviewers and responses from the developers of the structure; and materials for campus orientation workshops. (SW)

1986

ED272110