NEW METHODS OF EVALUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01634R000300060031-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Sequence Number: 31
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 001/07/28: CIA-RDP78-01634R00030006031-9
NEW OD3 OF EVALUATION
The Chairman has concluded a study of the various statistical
and analytical methods used by the Voice of America, Radio Liberation
and Radio Free Europe, for determining target area reception effec-
tivenecs.
While the methods used differ slightly with each organization,
in principle they we identical in that the source of almost all
the raw data used for evaluation comes from peripheral sources.
This raw data consists of %mntitative samples and lends itself
rather nicely to the more or less fundamental statistical analyses
s ..
for determining, with a high degree of exactness, reception char-
acteristics at the finite point where the observations are being
By applying ]mown principles of wave theory it is possible to
extrapolate results for the finite area to give an indication of
reception over a nnxch wider geographical area. In doing so, of
course, the measures of reliability and significance of results
decrease as the geographical area becomes larger.
.Considering the commit tive nature of the raw data, it
appears doubtful whether more advanced statistical or analytical
methods could increase the measures of reliability or significance
of the results.
Approved For Release 2001/07/28 : CIA-RDP78-01634R000300060031-9
 Approved For Release 2001/07/28 : CIA-RDP78-01634R000300O&31-9
On the other hand, it appears that a variety of other statistical
and analytical methods can be applied to this particular problem,
providing the data for evaluation is of a more qualitative type.
For example, if a significant amount' of signal intensity recordings
are available of U. S. broadcasting signals in the target area,
sign?Sl recordings of the jam ing signal strength., le rledge of the
exact ja.ng transmitter locations, etc., it would then be possible
to determine with a very high degree of accuracy reception contours
over wide areas.. The basic problem facing TBAC appears to be not
in determining new methods of evaluation, but in deciding if the
problem warrants the effort of attempting to obtain more qualitative
data that could be utilized effectively in a more advanced
statistical and analytical approach.
In conclusion, it appemr3 that present methods of evaluation
are about the best that can be applied, considering the nature of
the raw data available for evaluation. If it is desired to achieve
a greater degree of accuracy or to extrapolate over wider geographic
areas, a variety of statistical and analytical methods can be
applied, providing thte' raw data is of '+a more qualitative nature.
Approved For Release 2001/07/28 : CIA-RDP78-01634R000300060031-9