The Contribution of Participant Observation to the Study of Process in Program Evaluation

The 1960s brought a ferment of new programs aimed at ending poverty, educational deficits, and other social ills. Programs were launched on the feathery wings of hope and idealism without due regard for the difficulties inherent in attacking problems of almost limitless proportion with limited means (Moynihan, 1969; Murphy, 1971). As Levitan(1969) expressed it, ' 4 Despite its limited funds the new legislation was sold as a 'total war on poverty!' The remnants of shattered dreams and programs are scattered throughout the nation (Schick, 1969). Skepticism and retreat have replaced the idealism and expansi veness of the 4 'Great Society. In retrospect, the blind boldness of the mid-1960s seems incredible (Moynihan, 1969; Williams & Evans, 1969).