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Irwin L. Goldstein and J. Kevin Ford. Training in Organizations: Needs Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Fourth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2002, 410 pages, $44.10.
I used previous editions of this book in my graduate course on training research. If I were not retired, I would use this edition, as it is well written and up to date. Indeed, a substantial number of the publications cited are dated within the last 5 years. But, I am getting ahead of the story.
The structure of the book is the same as previous editions. Ford's influence, however, is fairly evident in many places, as I'll indicate later. Part I, Needs Assessment and the Learning Environment, starts with a chapter on the training context, followed by a description of a systematic approach to training, a chapter on needs assessment, and one on the learning environment. Although much of the content is the same as in previous editions, everything has been updated. In addition, the training context chapter contains new material on the changing work environment and what is known about trainers and training methods.
The second chapter gives the basic structure of the book by presenting training as a systematic approach to learning and the development of workers, teams, and organizations. Goldstein's instructional system has been modified and improved by adding organizational support and requirements analysis to the needs assessment phase. The third chapter is a detailed description of the needs assessment phase. It has been completely rewritten and includes a new model of this important subject. This is the best treatment of needs assessment as an organizational intervention that I have seen. Those who view the entire HR endeavor as an integral part of the enterprise will...