Evaluation in OD: A Review and an Assessment

In: Group & organization studies, Volume 3, Issue 1, p. 42-70

Abstract

The author reviewed OD evaluation as described in the literature and assessed twenty-six studies against Campbell and Stanley's twelve criteria for validity; only three met all criteria. The studies varied from highly rigorous, experimental designs to nondesigns totally inadequate for an assessment of validity. Most of the studies reviewed did not utilize designs rigorous enough to adequately determine the outcomes of the OD process. The present underdeveloped state of the art of OD evaluation demonstrates that practitioners must (1) determine appropriate meas ures for assessing; (2) develop more adequate instruments for measuring change related to OD; and (3) consistently utilize more rigorous designs for their studies.