Download or read book Informing Federal Policies on Evaluation Methodology Building the Evidence Base for Method Choice in Government Sponsored Evaluations written by George Julnes and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2007-04-20 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the most divisive issues in the evaluation community has been the debate over which methodologies are to be considered adequate or commendable in addressing different evaluation questions in different settings. One form of this debate involved opposing camps of proponents of qualitative versus quantitative methods. A decade ago, there was some hope that the two sides of this debate, referred to as the paradigm war, were learning to respect each other. More recently, however, a federal agency priority for funding random assignment experimental studies has reignited the debate. This volume provides a space for a productive dialogue that, by identifying areas of agreement but also fundamental differences, will promote a more durable working consensus on the circumstances in which some methods are to be preferred over others. The chapter authors and discussants make clear that there are different types of evidence with which to inform this dialogue, including empirical findings of the impact of method choice on evaluation outcomes, the evidence contained in the wisdom of practice, and the results of critical analyses of the broader social impacts of method choice. The editors build on these contributions to suggest pragmatic policies for federal agencies, promoting both context-appropriate method choice and the importance of managing portfolios of evaluative research that maintain desired distributions of methodologies. This is the 113th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Evaluation, a publication of Jossey-Bass and the American Evaluation Association.
Download or read book Informing Federal Policies on Evaluation Methodology written by George Julnes and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Evaluation Policy and Evaluation Practice written by William M. K. Trochim and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2009-10-19 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This issue of New Directions for Evaluation addresses the topic of evaluation policy, especially how it is informed by and affects evaluation practice. An evaluation policy is any rule or principle that a group or organization uses to guide its decisions and actions when doing evaluation. Every group and organization that engages in evaluation, including government agencies, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations, has evaluation policies. Sometimes they are formal, explicit, and written; at other times they are more implicit and ad hoc principles or norms that have simply evolved over time. Evaluation policy is a critically important issue for the field and profession of evaluation. Evaluation policies profoundly affect the day-to-day work of all evaluators. Many recent and current controversies or conflicts in the field of evaluation can be viewed, at least in part, as struggles around evaluation policy. The chapters in this issue consider evaluation policy in its many and varied settings and contexts, including extensive treatment of large-scale national evaluation policy both in the United States and in Europe. The issue brings together revised and extended versions of all of the key addresses in the presidential strand of the 2008 American Evaluation Association conference, including the presidential address, plenary speeches, and expert lectures. This is the 123rd volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly thematic journal New Directions for Evaluation, an official publication of the American Evaluation Association. The journal publishes empirical, methodological, and theoretical works on all aspects of evaluation. Each issue is devoted to a single topic, with contributions solicited, organized, reviewed, and edited by a guest editor or editors. Issues may take any of several forms, such as a series of related chapters, a debate, or a long article followed by brief critical commentaries
Download or read book Promoting Value in the Public Interest Informing Policies for Judging Value in Evaluation written by George Julnes and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-03-16 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you make evidence-based decisions when designing and conducting evaluations, and use methods validated by experience? Because of the growing importance of evidence-based decision-making for improving programs and policies, this issue examines methods selection: Which is better? How can one be improved? Are the results of the project worth the resources expended? and how that leads to confidence in value-based conclusions. It presents a constructive dialogue on valuing in evaluation, with the goal of developing a pragmatic approach for guiding method choice and for promoting methodology policies that support multiple approaches to valuation being employed in context-appropriate ways so as to serve the public interest. This is the 133rd volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Evaluation, an official publication of the American Evaluation Association.
Download or read book Principles and Practices for Federal Program Evaluation written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2017-09-30 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In October 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a 1-day public workshop on Principles and Practices for Federal Program Evaluation. The workshop was organized to consider ways to bolster the integrity and protect the objectivity of the evaluation function in federal agenciesâ€"a process that is essential for evidence-based policy making. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.
Download or read book Federal Evaluation Policy written by Joseph S. Wholey and published by Washington : Urban Institute. This book was released on 1970 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: USA. Research results of a study of the federal system for the evaluation of social policy programmes - distinguishes four types of evaluation, viz. Programme impact, programme strategy, project evaluation and project rating, covers administrative aspects, organizational relationships between national level and local level, financial aspects and personneling, evaluation techniques, etc., and includes recommendations. Bibliography pp. 121 to 134.
Download or read book Context A Framework for Its Influence on Evaluation Practice written by Debra J. Rog and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-09-06 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Context is a force in evaluation. It shapes our practice, influencing how we approach and design our studies, how we carry them out, and how we report our findings. Context also moderates and mediates the outcomes of the programs and policies we evaluate. This issue focuses squarely on the role that context plays in practice and illuminates its effect on the implementation and outcomes of programs. Exploring the ways in which attending to context may improve the quality of evaluation practice, the contributions span theory, methods, and practice in an effort to move to a more comprehensive conceptualization of context that can guide our work. It: Provides an historical and theoretical view of evaluators’ treatment of context Illustrates how context has influenced evaluation practice Presents a five-area framework for guiding a contextual analysis of evaluations Introduces “context assessment,” which provides a means of integrating context and its implications within the important stages of evaluation. This is the 135th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Evaluation, an official publication of the American Evaluation Association.
Download or read book Credible and Actionable Evidence written by Stewart I. Donaldson and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2014-09-10 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Addressing one of the most important and contentious issues challenging applied research and evaluation practice today—what constitutes credible and actionable evidence?—this volume offers a balanced and current context in which to analyze the long-debated quantitative-qualitative paradigms. In the Second Edition, the contributors, a veritable "who’s who" in evaluation, discuss the diversity and changing nature of credible and actionable evidence; offer authoritative guidance about using credible and actionable evidence; explain how to use it to provide rigorous and influential evaluations; and include lessons from their own applied research and evaluation to suggest ways to address the key issues and challenges. Reflecting the latest developments in the field and covering both experimental and non-experimental methods, the new edition includes revised and updated chapters, summaries of strengths and weaknesses across varied approaches, and contains diverse definitions of evidence. Also included are two new chapters on assessing credibility and synthesizing evidence for policy makers. This is a valuable resource for students and others interested in how to best study and evaluate programs, policies, organizations, and other initiatives designed to improve aspects of the human condition and societal well-being.
Download or read book Status Issues written by United States. General Accounting Office and published by . This book was released on 1978 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
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 Evaluation written by Carol H. Weiss and published by Pearson. This book was released on 1998 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Suitable for undergraduate Evaluation Research courses in a variety of departments, including psychology, sociology, public health, public policy/affairs, education, and criminal justice. Acquainting students with the complexities inherent in evaluation research, this timely and accessible guide explores how we apply research methods in evaluating social programs, and illustrates its points with reference to a variety of fields, including education, social services, and criminal justice. Written in an intelligent and graceful prose, it offers practical advice on understanding the reasons for the study, identifying key questions to be answered, and planning and implementing the overall design of the study, including measurement, qualitative methods of inquiry, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination.
Download or read book Program Evaluation Theory and Practice written by Donna M. Mertens and published by Guilford Press. This book was released on 2025-01-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Covering both the theory and practice of evaluation in one engaging volume, this leading text is now in a revised third edition. It features additional evaluation approaches, such as the Indigenous paradigm; new examples, ranging from small to large and multi-site evaluations; and more. Instructors praise the diverse evaluations, many with reflective commentary from evaluators, and rich pedagogical features. The text describes the major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and the ways they inform methodological choices. Readers learn effective strategies for clarifying their own theoretical assumptions; working with stakeholders; developing questions; using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs; choosing data collection and sampling strategies; analyzing data; and communicating and utilizing findings. The book includes guidance for planning an evaluation of a specific project or program. Extensive recommended online resources and tools are provided at the companion website. New to This Edition *Restructured section on philosophical frameworks, with a new chapter on the Indigenous paradigm and expanded coverage of disability, feminist, and LGBTQ+ theories. *Additional sample studies, including multi-site and systems- and complexity-informed evaluations. *Expanded coverage of logic models, cost–benefit evaluations, and mixed methods designs. *New and updated coverage of data collection technologies, qualitative coding methods, Sustainable Development Goals, and uses and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Pedagogical Features *Reflection questions that prepare students to read each chapter. *"Extending Your Thinking" questions and learning activities. *New within-chapter maps to aid in navigating chapter sections. *Boxes offering sample evaluations and closer looks at key concepts. *Helpful checklists and tables, bolded key terms, and an end-of-book Glossary. *Companion website with links to recommended online resources and tools.
Download or read book Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation written by Joseph S. Wholey and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-03-11 with total page 768 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second edition of Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation offers managers, analysts, consultants, and educators in government, nonprofit, and private institutions a valuable resource that outlines efficient and economical methods for assessing program results and identifying ways to improve program performance. The Handbook has been thoroughly revised. Many new chapters have been prepared for this edition, including chapters on logic modeling and on evaluation applications for small nonprofit organizations. The Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation is a comprehensive resource on evaluation, covering both in-depth program evaluations and performance monitoring. It presents evaluation methods that will be useful at all levels of government and in nonprofit organizations.
Download or read book Evaluation Management written by Federal Executive Institute and published by . This book was released on 1977 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Environmental Program and Policy Evaluation Addressing Methodological Challenges written by Matthew Birnbaum and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2009-07-14 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although environmental policy and program evaluation emerged rather late compared to many other areas of public policy, an energetic evaluation community in the environmental field has emerged during the last decade. This is a community of evaluators with diverse backgrounds in environmental sciences, social sciences, and general evaluation. Evaluation in the environmental field is characterized by complex policies and programs around wicked problems. They exist within complex systems composed of interacting environmental and socioeconomic systems. In furthering the state of evaluation in the environmental field, this issue of focuses on key methodological challenges: time horizons scaling data credibility research designs and counterfactuals Contributors look at each challenge with two chapters, to enhance a pluralistic discourse for development of the theory and practice of environmental evaluation. The authors?from Australia, Europe, and North America?represent the diversity of the community with respect to their formal training, personal experiences, and institutional affiliations. The issue concludes with two commentaries reflecting on the discussions in relation to that of contemporary evaluation in general and a summary of the insights for the future of environmental evaluation. These chapters cumulatively hold promise for furthering the quality of evaluations not only in the environmental field but in other fields as well. This is the 122nd volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Evaluation, an official publication of the American Evaluation Association.
Download or read book Qualitative Research Evaluation Methods written by Michael Quinn Patton and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2014-10-29 with total page 833 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on more than 40 years of experience conducting applied social science research and program evaluation, author Michael Quinn Patton has crafted the most comprehensive and systematic book on qualitative research and evaluation methods, inquiry frameworks, and analysis options available today. Now offering more balance between applied research and evaluation, this Fourth Edition of Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods illuminates all aspects of qualitative inquiry through new examples, stories, and cartoons; more than a hundred new summarizing and synthesizing exhibits; and a wide range of new highlight sections/sidebars that elaborate on important and emergent issues. For the first time, full case studies are included to illustrate extended research and evaluation examples. In addition, each chapter features an extended "rumination," written in a voice and style more emphatic and engaging than traditional textbook style, about a core issue of persistent debate and controversy.
Download or read book Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education written by Donna M. Mertens and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2003-09-10 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In an era when government policy emphasizes ′scientifically based research′ (No Child Left Behind), this book provides an important resource in understanding what this means." Diane Browder, Snyder Distinguished Professor of Special Education University of North Carolina, Charlotte "This is a superb book. I learned by reading it, and I found myself rethinking some of my own thinking about research on individuals with disabilities." James E. Ysseldyke, Professor University of Minnesota Learn how research can lead to improved skills and contribute to successful lives. When face-to-face with the challenge of providing special needs children with a quality education, teachers and other educators are often met with the dilemma of inadequate research on the topic, or they are uninformed that a framework for critically analyzing and conducting special education research exists. Research-based practice is a powerful tool for success, as it can inform educators and others about educational strategies that work. Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education is intended to enable educators to design, conduct, and report research and evaluation in a way that transforms special education by addressing the needs of persons with disabilities as heterogeneous, cultural groups. This text provides practical guidance for: Planning research and evaluation Addressing the implications of legislation and program evaluation Using empirically based data for decision-making in a variety of settings Assessing additional research needs in areas such as standards-based reforms, personnel development, family involvement, and new and developing topics in special education Using quantitative research methods, including casual comparative, correlational, single case, and survey research Using qualitative methods, including identification and selection of research participants, information collection, and more This excellent resource provides an approach to research and evaluation that helps educators better understand and address the needs of students with various disabilities, including blindness, mental retardation, deafness, learning disabilities, and more.
