Download or read book Program Evaluation Theory and Practice written by Donna M. Mertens and published by Guilford Press. This book was released on 2012-02-20 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This engaging text takes an evenhanded approach to major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and builds a bridge from them to evaluation practice. Featuring helpful checklists, procedural steps, provocative questions that invite readers to explore their own theoretical assumptions, and practical exercises, the book provides concrete guidance for conducting large- and small-scale evaluations. Numerous sample studies—many with reflective commentary from the evaluators—reveal the process through which an evaluator incorporates a paradigm into an actual research project. The book shows how theory informs methodological choices (the specifics of planning, implementing, and using evaluations). It offers balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Useful pedagogical features include: *Examples of large- and small-scale evaluations from multiple disciplines. *Beginning-of-chapter reflection questions that set the stage for the material covered. *"Extending your thinking" questions and practical activities that help readers apply particular theoretical paradigms in their own evaluation projects. *Relevant Web links, including pathways to more details about sampling, data collection, and analysis. *Boxes offering a closer look at key evaluation concepts and additional studies. *Checklists for readers to determine if they have followed recommended practice. *A companion website with resources for further learning.

Download or read book A Theory and Practice of Program Development written by Derek J. Andrews and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 421 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Theory and Practice of Program Development provides a comprehensive introduction to a software development method based on VDM-SL. Each development step is rigorously justified, and the strategies and transformations used are justified and explained ma thematically. The approach provides the formal semantics of a simple, but powerful, wide-spectrum programming language and gives a formal definition of both algorithmic and data refinement. Unlike other texts, it covers both the theory and practice of program development. Although based on VDM-SL, no knowledge of this language is assumed, thus making it widely accessible. A Theory and Practice of Program Development is intended for 3rd/4th year undergraduate and postgraduate students taking formal methods and software engineering; software developers involved in the production of provably correct computer systems and reusa ble design and the problems of reusable code.

Download or read book Purposeful Program Theory written by Sue C. Funnell and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-02-09 with total page 576 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Between good intentions and great results lies a program theory not just a list of tasks but a vision of what needs to happen, and how. Now widely used in government and not-for-profit organizations, program theory provides a coherent picture of how change occurs and how to improve performance. Purposeful Program Theory shows how to develop, represent, and use program theory thoughtfully and strategically to suit your particular situation, drawing on the fifty-year history of program theory and the authors' experiences over more than twenty-five years. "From needs assessment to intervention design, from implementation to outcomes evaluation, from policy formulation to policy execution and evaluation, program theory is paramount. But until now no book has examined these multiple uses of program theory in a comprehensive, understandable, and integrated way. This promises to be a breakthrough book, valuable to practitioners, program designers, evaluators, policy analysts, funders, and scholars who care about understanding why an intervention works or doesn't work." Michael Quinn Patton, author, Utilization-Focused Evaluation "Finally, the definitive guide to evaluation using program theory! Far from the narrow 'one true way' approaches to program theory, this book provides numerous practical options for applying program theory to fulfill different purposes and constraints, and guides the reader through the sound critical thinking required to select from among the options. The tour de force of the history and use of program theory is a truly global view, with examples from around the world and across the full range of content domains. A must-have for any serious evaluator." E. Jane Davidson, PhD, Real Evaluation Ltd. Companion Web site: josseybass.com/go/funnellrogers

Download or read book Digital Character Development written by Rob O'Neill and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2015-10-07 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every animated film and video game production spends a large percentage of its resources and time on advancing the quality of the digital characters inhabiting the world being created. This book presents the theory and practice behind the creation of digital characters for film and games using software-agnostic descriptions that apply to any animation application. It provides insight from a real production environment and the requirements that such an environment imposes. With rich illustrations and visual code examples throughout, this book provides a comprehensive roadmap to character development for both professionals and students.

Download or read book Program Theory Driven Evaluation Science written by Stewart I. Donaldson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2007-05-21 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Program Theory-Driven Evaluation Science fills the gap between 21st century literature on evaluation and what is happening in practice. It features detailed examples of how evaluations actually unfold in practice to develop people, programs, and organizations. Commonly accepted strategies for practicing evaluation are outlined, followed by comprehe

Download or read book Drawing Programs The Theory and Practice of Schematic Functional Programming written by Tom Addis and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-10-30 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing Programs: The Theory and Practice of Schematic Functional Programming describes a diagrammatic (schematic) approach to programming. It introduces a sophisticated tool for programmers who would rather work with diagrams than with text. The language is a complete functional language that has evolved into a representation scheme that is unique. The result is a simple coherent description of the process of modelling with the computer. The experience of using this tool is introduced gradually with examples, small projects and exercises. The new computational theory behind the tool is interspersed between these practical descriptions so that the reasons for the activity can be understood and the activity, in turn, illustrates some elements of the theory Access to the tool, its source code and a set of examples that range from the simple to the complex is free (see www.springer.com/978-1-84882-617-5). A description of the tool’s construction and how it may be extended is also given. The authors’ experience with undergraduates and graduates who have the understanding and skill of a functional language learnt through using schema have also shown an enhanced ability to program in other computer languages. Readers are provided with a set of concepts that will ensure a good robust program design and, what is more important, a path to error free programming.

Download or read book Theory Practice and Community Development written by Mark Brennan and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-06-19 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For many scholars, the study of community and community development is at a crossroads. Previously dynamic theories appear not to have kept pace with the major social changes of our day. Given our constantly shifting social reality we need new ideas and research that pushes the boundaries of our extant community theories. Theory, Practice, and Community Development stretches the traditional boundaries and applications of well-established community development theory, and establishes new theoretical approaches rooted in new disciplines and new perspectives on community development. Expanded from a special issue of the journal Community Development, Theory, Practice, and Community Development collects previously published and widely cited essays, as well as new theoretical and empirical research in community development. Compiled by the editors of Community Development, the essays feature topics as varied as placemaking, democratic theory and rural organizing. Theory, Practice, and Community Development is vital for scholars and practitioners coming to grips with the rapidly changing definition of community.

Download or read book A Theory and Practice of Program Development written by Derek Andrews and published by . This book was released on 1997-08-08 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book TAPSOFT 89 Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Theory and Practice of Software Development Barcelona Spain March 13 17 1989 written by Josep Diaz and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 1989-02-27 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: TAPSOFT '89 is the Third International Joint Conference on Theory and Practice of Software Development held in Barcelona, Spain, March 13-17, 1989. The conference consissted of three parts: - Advanced Seminar on Foundations of Innovative Software Development - Colloquium on Trees in Algebra and Programming (CAAP '89) - Colloquium on Current Issues in Programming Languages (CCIPL) The TAPSOFT '89 Conference Proceedings are published in two volumes. The first volume includes the papers from CAAP plus the more theoretical ones of the invited papers. The second volume comprises the papers from CCIPL and the invited papers more relevant to current issues in programming languages.

Download or read book Local and Community Driven Development written by Hans P. Binswanger-Mkhize and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2010-02-12 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Local and Community Driven Development: Moving to Scale in Theory and Practice' provides development practitioners with the historical background and the tools required to successfully scale up local and community driven development (LCDD) to the regional and national levels. LCDD gives control of development decisions and resources to communities and local governments. It involves collaboration between communities, local governments, technical agencies, and the private sector. Since the 1980s, participatory approaches have received new impetus via participatory rural appraisal, the integration of participation in sector programs, decentralization efforts of developing countries, and greater space for civil society and the private sector. This book traces the emergence of the LCDD synthesis from these various strands. 'Local and Community Driven Development' provides the theoretical underpinnings for scaling up, guidance on how to adapt the approach to the specific institutional and political settings of different countries, diagnostic tools, and step-by-step instructions to diagnose the national context, adapt policies, and expand programs. It will be a useful guide for rural and urban development practitioners, public administrators, and policy makers who wrestle daily with the problems the book addresses.

Download or read book C written by George S. Tselikis and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-02-12 with total page 516 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Designed for a compulsory fundamental course, C: From Theory to Practice uses a hands-on approach to teach the C programming language, using numerous examples and a clear, concise presentation. Easy to use and classroom tested, this textbook includes more than 500 exercises and examples of progressive difficulty to help students in understanding al

Download or read book Theory and Practice of Social Planning written by Alfred J. Kahn and published by Russell Sage Foundation. This book was released on 1969 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discusses the intellectual processes involved in social planning. Professor Kahn provides critical tools for the analysis of the planning process, and shows what social planning is and can be. Clarifying the major phases in the planning process, he shows how planning can succeed or fail at any one of these stages. He examined planners in their various roles: as "neutral" technicians and as advocates, as representatives of interest groups and as public officials. The book describes both the social aspects of planning and the relationship between social and physical plans.

Download or read book Health Promotion Programs written by Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-03-18 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Health Promotion Programs introduces the theory of health promotion and presents an overview of current best practices from a wide variety of settings that include schools, health care organizations, workplace, and community. The 43 contributors to Health Promotion Programs focus on students and professionals interested in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote health equity. In addition to the focus on best practices, each chapter contains information on: Identifying health promotion programs Eliminating health disparities Defining and applying health promotion theories and models Assessing the needs of program participants Creating and supporting evidence-based programs Implementing health promotion programs: Tools, program staff, and budgets Advocacy Communicating health information effectively Developing and increasing program funding Evaluating, improving, and sustaining health promotion programs Health promotion challenges and opportunities Health promotion resources and career links "The authors have clearly connected the dots among planning, theory, evaluation, health disparity, and advocacy, and have created a user-friendly toolbox for health promotion empowerment." Ronald L. Braithwaite, PhD, professor, Morehouse School of Medicine, Departments of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and Psychiatry "The most comprehensive program planning text to date, this book examines all facets of planning and implementation across four key work environments where health educators function." Mal Goldsmith, PhD, CHES, professor and coordinator of Health Education, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville "Health Promotion Programs . . . . explores the thinking of some of our field's leaders and confirms its well-deserved place in the field and in our personal collections." Susan M. Radius, PhD, CHES, professor and program director, Health Science Department, Towson University

Download or read book Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement written by James C. McDavid and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2012-10-25 with total page 835 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement: An Introduction to Practice, Second Edition offers an accessible, practical introduction to program evaluation and performance measurement for public and non-profit organizations, and has been extensively updated since the first edition. Using examples, it covers topics in a detailed fashion, making it a useful guide for students as well as practitioners who are participating in program evaluations or constructing and implementing performance measurement systems. Authors James C. McDavid, Irene Huse, and Laura R. L. Hawthorn guide readers through conducting quantitative and qualitative program evaluations, needs assessments, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, as well as constructing, implementing and using performance measurement systems. The importance of professional judgment is highlighted throughout the book as an intrinsic feature of evaluation practice.

Download or read book Student Development in College written by Nancy J. Evans and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-11-05 with total page 616 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second edition of Student Development in College offers higher education professionals a clear understanding of the developmental challenges facing today's college students. Thoroughly revised and updated, this edition includes new integrative theories of student development, expanded coverage of social identity theories, a targeted focus on higher education-related research, a current review of student development research and application, and reconceptualization of typology theories as a way to understand individual differences. Praise for the Second Edition of STUDENT DEVELOPMENT IN COLLEGE "Student Development in College is a rich, comprehensive exploration of the major theoretical perspectives that inform development. The authors' attention to nuances and complexities results in a substantive history of theory development and a careful story about how various perspectives evolved yielding contemporary theorizing. The book is a masterful blend of theoretical lenses and their use in designing developmentally appropriate practice for diverse populations of contemporary college students. It is an excellent resource for all educators who work on college campuses." Marcia Baxter Magolda, Distinguished Professor, Educational Leadership, Miami University "This is an invaluable work for anyone seeking an introduction to college student development theories or those seeking to update their existing knowledge. It offers a thorough and complex review of both the foundational theories and the newer often more culturally relevant theories and models." Raechele L. Pope, program coordinator, Higher Education Program, University at Buffalo "The original book was a tremendous contribution to the field of higher education and especially student affairs. After more than ten years, this revision is a timely and focused enhancement to the literature that nurtures quality professionals to think differently about topics relevant to our field. Well done a second time around!" Gregory Roberts, executive director, ACPA College Student Educators International

Download or read book Advancing Human Development written by Frances Stewart and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2018 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Human Development is a prime goal of many development strategies. This book explains what Human Development is, and how it emerged from previous development methods. By exploring developments over the last forty years, it explains what makes for success and failure, and how progress has been made across the globe.

Download or read book Software Evolution and Feedback written by Nazim H. Madhavji and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2006-08-30 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evolution of software has long been recognized as one of the most problematic and challenging areas in the field of software engineering, as evidenced by the high, often up to 60-80%, life-cycle costs attributed to this activity over the life of a software system. Studies of software evolution are central to the understanding and practice of software development. Yet it has received relatively little attention in the field of software engineering. This book focuses on topics aimed at giving a scientific insight into the aspect of software evolution and feedback. In summary, the book covers conceptual, phenomenological, empirical, technological and theoretical aspects of the field of software evolution - with contributions from the leading experts. This book delivers an up-to-date scientific understanding of what software evolution is, to show why it is inevitable for real world applications, and it demonstrates the role of feedback in software development and maintenance. The book also addresses some of the phenomenological and technological underpinnings and includes rules and guidelines for increased software evolvability and, in general, sustainability of the evolution process. Software Evolution and Feedback provides a long overdue, scientific focus on software evolution and the role of feedback in the software process, making this the indispensable guide for all software practitioners, researchers and managers in the software industry.