An approach for selecting a theoretical framework for the evaluation of training programs

TLDR

The paper proposes a structured method for selecting academically relevant references for a research topic, illustrated with an example on evaluating training programs. The method employs a bibliometric analysis of internet‑accessed databases, combining inductive logic and mixed qualitative–quantitative techniques across eleven stages to sift and identify high‑relevance, highly cited articles. Applying the process yielded eleven highly cited papers on training‑program evaluation, with descriptive statistics on publication venues, authorship, and journal prominence, offering a practical guide for researchers and practitioners.

Abstract

Purpose This research paper proposes a method for selecting references related to a research topic, and seeks to exemplify it for the case of a study evaluating training programs. The method is designed to identify references with high academic relevance in databases accessed via the internet, using a bibliometric analysis to sift the selected articles. Design/methodology/approach The study is descriptive, in so far as its goal is to describe a method, and the nature of the paper is theoretical. The study incorporates an inductive logic, and draws on secondary data sources. The study combines qualitative and quantitative methods, and can therefore be described as mixed method. The research involves the application of a technical procedure. Findings The method employed sifted a large number of potential resources identified in a search of the internet and, after 11 stages in the proposed process, 11 papers were identified as being relevant to the research topic and highly cited. Descriptive statistics are provided of where those articles were published, how extensively the authors of those papers were published, the nature of the journals in which the papers appeared, and scientific recognition (number of citations). Originality/value The relevance of this work for HRD research is in the proposal for a structured process for identifying relevant academic articles relating to the research context, in the presentation of 11 highlighted articles in the area of training programs evaluation, in the identification of the main authors of this area of knowledge, and in the identification of the main journals that address the theme of the evaluation of training programs. Thus, practitioners, researchers and students can direct their attention to the articles, authors and journals that are most relevant to the theme of evaluation of training programs.