RESUMEN
PIP: Radio Santa Maria (RSM), established by the Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic in 1964, broadcasts programs leading to certificates at the primary and intermediate levels and stresses education as a tool to help individuals cope with their environment. This article describes the history of an evaluation of RSM based on the participation of RSM personnel. RSM staff carried out the field work, while members of the expatriate evaluation team helped to design the survey instruments, trained staff in evaluation techniques, and conducted the statistical analyses. A 1975 policy document served as the basis of the evaluation. An important advantage of the self-study approach was that the evaluation process itself resulted in program improvements during the study period. As active participants in the process, RSM staff developed important evaluation skills and a computerized information retrieval system was installed. A disadvantage of the participatory approach to program evaluation is the time required to build personnel relations and transfer technical skills. Compromises may be necessary that undermine professional standards and reduce data reliability. On the other hand, self-study can provide data of more depth than external evaluations. It can overcome the neglect of inputs and processes that characterizes traditional output-oriented evaluations. It is concluded that if the purpose of an evaluation is to improve an organization, it is useful to involve the entire organization in the process.^ieng