What's all the talk about? Examining EVALTALK, an evaluation listserv

Listservs have become a popular computer-mediated method for communicating with others who share a common interest. They offer subscribers quick feedback and provide a forum for ideas and beliefs to be exchanged, discussed, and modified. Although rarely studied, in some practical fields listserves have been shown to increase communication of best practices. EVALTALK is an online evaluation discussion forum, and the official listserv of the American Evaluation Association. The current study examined EVALTALK exchanges generated over a one-year period in order to better understand how the listserv is used by its members. Results from our analysis suggest that a significant proportion of the EVALTALK listserv postings are not directly related to evaluation; however, when lengthy discussions ensue, they are most likely to be evaluation related. Additionally, much of the EVALTALK activity centers on requests for evaluation examples, procedures, and experiences. We also found that the typical subscriber is more likely to be a "lurker" than an active participant.