2011

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Session Title: A Qualitative Study of the Effects of Performance Indicators on the Psychological Well-being of Public Employees: An Interview and Discussion With the Researcher
Panel Session 684 to be held in Oceanside on Friday, Nov 4, 1:35 PM to 2:20 PM
Sponsored by the Qualitative Methods TIG
Chair(s):
Leslie Goodyear, National Science Foundation, lgoodyea@nsf.gov
Abstract: Performance measurement systems have proliferated in recent years. Organizations of all kinds have implemented performance indicator systems to document worker performance, program outcomes and progress toward goals. The study presented in this alternative format session - a study of how teachers of Danish as a second language feel about performance measurement - endeavors to contribute to an understanding of the constitutive effects of performance management systems upon public employees, their practices, their definition of good work, and their well-being. In addition, this study takes a creative approach to understanding these quantitative systems by using qualitative inquiry to study their effects. In an interview format that will engage the audience, the findings of the study and the methodological implications will be addressed along with a discussion of the ways in which values are surfaced in this study context.
Public Employees’ Perceptions of Performance Measurement: What Values Surface When We Investigate Quantitative Measurement Systems Using Qualitative Methods?
Peter Dahler-Larsen, Syddansk University, pdl@sam.sdu.dk
Peter Dahler-Larsen will make a brief presentation about his work researching how teachers of Danish as a second language feel about performance measurement. Then, Leslie Goodyear will interview Peter about his work, the values inherent in it, the interesting methodological issues surfaced by using qualitative inquiry to investigate quantitative data collection systems, and what we, as evaluators, can learn from the findings of this study.
What Can We Learn About Performance Systems, Values, and Methods From This Study of Performance Measurement Systems?
Leslie Goodyear, National Science Foundation, lgoodyea@nsf.gov
After Peter Dahler-Larsen's brief presentation of the methods and findings of his study of how teachers of Danish as a second language feel about performance measurement, Leslie Goodyear will interview Peter about his work, the values inherent in it, the interesting methodological issues surfaced by investigating quantitative data collection systems using qualitative methods, and what we, as evaluators, can learn from the findings of this study. In the interview, she will bring her experience in evaluating Federal government programs, developing and supervising monitoring systems and her expertise in qualitative methods to bear on questions about values, methods and the effects of these performance measurement systems on people who participate in them.

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