257 



Neglect of research as a major program defect 



According to Textor, the major deficiency in Peace Corps programs, 

 is neglect of research. In this diagnostic finding liis opinion is shared 

 by a^number of Peace Corps administratoi'S and other informed ob- 

 server. Says Textor: 



* * * There are simply not sufficient data available on which to base [con- 

 clusions evaluating performance and impact]. It is doubtful if even Peace Corps 

 Washington has sufficient data. The measurement and prediction of cultural im- 

 pact is an immensely complex problem involving careful observation of many 

 variables. An enormous — and expensive— amount of research is usually re- 

 quired * * *.'" 



Neglect of this essential fimction, he continues, is attributable to 

 hard choices made by both the agency leadership and the Congress : 



During its first 5 years, the Peace Corps has been a highly pragmatic organi- 

 zation, little given to research of a deliberate or deeply probing nature. Its Di- 

 vision of Evaluation has focused primarily on troubleshooting insi>ection trips 

 which have been valuable as a means of detecting and obviating immediate op- 

 erational problems, but of little value in developing deeper or more systematic 

 understanding of persisting intercultural problems. Senior officials at the Divi- 

 sion of Evaluation have tended to be lawyers and journalists rather than social 

 scientists. Often, these oflacials have lacked previous experience in the host 

 country in which they are evaluating Peace Corps operations, and .sometimes 

 they have lacked previous transcultural experience of any kind. During the 

 Corps' second 5 years, it is to be hoped that this nonprofessional, pragmatic em- 

 phasis will gradually be supplanted by a more professional, searching approach 

 aimed at discovering the deeper origins of operational problems. More ex-volun- 

 teers with relevant social science credentials are needed in the Division of 

 Evaluation. 



* * * Much more research on the Peace Corps is needed. In particular, we 

 need to know more about processes of transcultural adjustment, about ways and 

 means of more effectively preparing and assisting the volunteer to achieve cul- 

 tural proficiency, and about the Corps' developmental impact in various host coun- 

 tries. If even 1 percent of the total Peace Corps budget were devoted to research — 

 a much smaller percentage than a forward-looking industrial firm would spend — 

 the quality of administrative and policy decisions could be greatly improved.''* 



Many of the reports presented to and consulted by Sargent Shriver 

 in 1961, containecl -well-formulated and detailed recommendations for 

 extensive research and evaluation. In addition to Dr. Millikan's recom- 

 mendations (see pp. 2^7-24:8 above), the Colorado State University 

 Research Foundation recommended research in the f ollowincr areas : 



Short-range and long-range program planning, establishment of objectives, 

 development of personnel progi-ams [study of the] impact [of volunteer opera- 

 tions] on individuals and groups [over.seas], project evaluation, organizational 

 structure and operational procedures, and establishment of fundamental 

 principles."^ 



With i-espect to research on volunteer training and performance the 

 Colorado group suggested that indigenous social scientists should be 

 used ; this would insure more valid results and provide foreigners with 

 training in American social science research methods."*^ 



The Colorado group also reconunended "fundamental or basic re- 

 search * * * on the * * * basic principles underlying the reasons for 



•3 Ibid., pp. 312-3. 



■^^ Tester, Ibid., pp. 337-338. For a concurring view on the need for better coordination 

 of research and evaluation in the Peace Corps see Meridian Bennett, "Evaluation and 

 Change," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (May 1966), 

 p. 127. 



'^ "New Frontiers for American Youth : Perspectives on the Peace Corps," op. cit., p. 128 



'« Ibid., pp. 228-229. 



99-044 — 69 IS 



