An important element in the preparation of students for positions in the field of recreation has been an adequate field work experience. Additionally, the quality of an orientation to field programs was seen as an important variable to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes about a preparation for field work training programs. The study involved forty undergraduate recreation majors registered for summer quarter 1978 recreation field work course and their respective forty recreation agency supervisors. The study population was assigned to either the experimental or control condition. The experimental group received a treatment (training program) and the control group received no treatment. Attitudes were analyzed through the use of a Field Work Preparation Questionnaire, using an adapted Likert Method of Summated Ratings Scale (1932). Data were gathered from two posttests and evaluated schematically on a revised Weber Model of Educational Evaluation (1973). Responses were tallied; means and t-test differences were used, as appropriate. Eighteen attitude items about a field work preparation program were measured in terms of their respective effectiveness, approval and usability.

Based on the findings and within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that significant differences do occur between student experimental and control groups in their attitudes about the relative effectiveness, approval of, and usability of the respective field work preparation programs. Significant differences were found on seventeen of the eighteen attitude items between the recreation agency supervisor experimental and control groups.

It was recognized that a long range evaluation program would be required to consistently assess the relative effectiveness of a field work preparation program. In recognition of the constraints imposed by a short term study, a system had to be developed which would accommodate the highest level of evaluative input within existing limitations.