A study of training program evaluation methods : the purposes for conducting evaluations and the uses and deterrents to using collected data

The purpose of this research was to study the different training program evaluation techniques utilized by large and small training departments in the Knoxville, TN area. To collect data, a questionnaire was developed and mailed to randomly selected members of the Smoky Mountain chapter of the American Society for Training and Development.

Objective or short answer questionnaires were the most frequent data collection technique for both sized training departments. Small training departments perceived lack of personnel and lack of funds to change programs as the most frequent deterrents to using evaluation data. Large training departments perceived lack of personnel as the most frequent deterrent. The chi square test of independence showed that trainers do not always use evaluation data for its intended purpose.

In conclusion, the high correlation coefficient between the rankings of data collection techniques, purposes for evaluation, uses of evaluation data, and deterrents to using evaluation data of small and large training departments showed that department size was not a factor when determining these evaluation functions.