Martin , James L . TITLE - - Criteria for Developing Criteria Sets

Criteria sets are a necessary step in(the systematic devopment of evaluation in education. Evaluation results from the c bination of criteria and evidence% There is a need lo develop xplicit tools for evaluating criteria, similar to those used in evaluating evidende. The formulationiof Such criteria depdnds on distinguishing between terms (concepts) and statements (linkages among concepts) . For both terms and statements a further distinction must be made between categories (nonvariable clas s of/attributes) and continua (variable continuous dimensions). B rrowing from the Oscipline of sociology, an exploration for cutlegoricai terms for constructing a systems approach yields the 0 ements: resources, structures, integrations,'performances, and' outputs. Continuous dimensions borrowed from theory evelopment are scope, parsimony, precision,, and accuracy. Combi ng these dimensions and elements in a. -four by five solution grid pro des both descriptive definitions and a prescriptive framework. Affixing labels to each cell of the'grid pr'oVides both literal definitions (labels) and theoretical dlefinitions, (dimension by element). Dividing the system's elements unto their philosophical components yields ontology, epistemology, ethics, .aesthetics, and psychology. Crossing these philosophical elements in turn withithe five system elements yields a five by five Matfix which, provides 25 possible elements for the investigation of driteria for criteria sets. (JR)