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A Critique of Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Model
Author(s) -
Reio Thomas G.,
Rocco Tonette S.,
Smith Douglas H.,
Chang Elegance
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
new horizons in adult education and human resource development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1939-4225
DOI - 10.1002/nha3.20178
Subject(s) - field (mathematics) , management science , epistemology , psychology , computer science , sociology , engineering ethics , engineering , mathematics , philosophy , pure mathematics
Abstract Donald Kirkpatrick published a series of articles originating from his doctoral dissertation in the late 1950s describing a four‐level training evaluation model. From its beginning, it was easily understood and became one of the most influential evaluation models impacting the field of HRD . While well received and popular, the Kirkpatrick model has been challenged and criticized by scholars, researchers, and practitioners, many of whom developed their models using Kirkpatrick's theoretical framework. This article reviews several evaluation models, and also presents empirical studies utilizing the four levels, collectively demonstrating the usefulness of, but the difficulty in, implementing all four levels.