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 Advances in Mixed Method Evaluation The Challenges and Benefits of Integrating Diverse Paradigms written by Jennifer C. Greene and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 1997-06-16 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evaluation theory and practice today are characteristically pluralistic, embracing diverse perspectives, methods, data, and values within and across studies that aim to generate more insightful and meaningful evaluative claims. This volume of New Directions for Evaluation seeks to strengthen the promise of pluralistic evaluation by advancing an enhanced conceptual framework for planning and implementing mixed-method evaluation studies. Previous mixed-method work has concentrated on the technical level of method, focusing on combining qualitative and quantitative methods within one evaluation study. The present mixed-method volume addresses the philosophical level of paradigm, analyzing the challenges of combining in one study different, even conflicting, assumptions about the nature of social phenomena and our claims to know them. The volume argues for a shift in the mixed-method conversation. The shift would be away from a preoccupation with explicit assumptive differences among paradigms, such as objectivity-subjectivity and realism-relativism, and toward other characteristics of social inquiry traditions. Such characteristics define these traditions in important ways but are not logically irreconcilable. The significant advance here is to redirect the bases for mixing methods away from what may well be incommensurable philosophical assumptions and toward other inquiry characteristics that can more productively share a common analytic space. Through analysis of illustrative cases, this volume presents an array of conceptual and practical ideas for promising mixed-method inquiry directions. This is the 74th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Evaluation. For more information on the series, please see the Journals and Periodicals page.

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 561 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 Thinking about Program Evaluation written by Richard A. Berk and published by SAGE. This book was released on 1999 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Through the use of specific examples to illustrate evaluation research goals and methods, this book provides readers with an overview of the science and politics of evaluation research. The Second Edition includes coverage of meta-analysis, selection models and instrumental variables.

Download or read book Intervention Effectiveness Research Quality Improvement and Program Evaluation written by Karen A. Monsen and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-09-14 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do interventions improve health outcomes? This volume provides a model and road map to answer clinical questions related to intervention effectiveness research, quality improvement, and program evaluations. It offers clear and simple guidance for all phases of a clinical inquiry projects from planning through dissemination and communication of results and findings. The book emphasizes the value and importance of leveraging existing data to advance research, practice, and quality improvement efforts. Intervention and Effectiveness Research is a practical guide for organizing and navigating the intersections of research and practice. Structure, process and outcome worksheets for every step are provided together with examples from diverse settings and populations to lead readers through the process of implementing their own projects. The author guides readers through the process of designing, implementing, and evaluating project s. This book is intended for teachers of DNP and PhD programs in nursing and other disciplines, their students, and healthcare leaders who need to leverage data to demonstrate care quality and outcomes.

Download or read book Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation written by Joseph S. Wholey and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2004-06-08 with total page 600 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 Practical Program Evaluation written by Huey-tsyh Chen and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2005 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Concentrates on the steps vital to program evaluation, including systematically identifying stakeholder needs, selecting evaluation options best suited to particular needs, and turning decisions into action.

Download or read book Agency Based Program Evaluation written by Stephen A. Kapp and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2010 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book begins with the context of an agency-based evaluation and describes the method within that context. Students will gain a more complete understanding of this contextual challenge and will learn techniques for operating in the face of these challenges.

Download or read book The Practice of Health Program Evaluation written by David Grembowski and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2015-09-16 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reflecting the latest developments in the field, the Second Edition provides readers with effective methods for evaluating health programs, policies, and health care systems, offering expert guidance for collaborating with stakeholders involved in the process. Author David Grembowski explores evaluation as a three-act play: Act I shows evaluators how to work with decision makers and other groups to identify the questions they want answered; Act II covers selecting appropriate evaluation designs and methods to answer the questions and reveal insights about the program’s impacts, cost-effectiveness, and implementation; and Act III discusses making use of the findings. Packed with relevant examples and detailed explanations, the book offers a step-by-step approach that fully prepares readers to apply research methods in the practice of health program evaluation.

Download or read book Toward Reform of Program Evaluation written by Lee Joseph Cronbach and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 1980 with total page 468 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: This book discusses the conduct of evaluations and describes the institutional characteristics and the complexities of the evaluative task. Those who conduct evaluations, those who advise on conducting evaluations, planners and managers of social programs, scholars in the social sciences, social activists, and persons concerned with human service programs are all part of the intended audience. This publication is designed to help understand evaluation and its possible contribution to the accomplishment of an objective. Anecdotes and examples are used to develop images of what is to be avoided and what is to be admired.

Download or read book Evaluating Programs to Increase Student Achievement written by Martin H. Jason and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2008-03-27 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This updated edition on evaluating the effectiveness of school programs provides an expanded needs-assessment section, additional methods for data analysis, and tools for communicating program results.

Download or read book Applied Ethics for Program Evaluation written by Dianna L. Newman and published by SAGE. This book was released on 1996 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How can an evaluator deal with ethical value issues in a way that does not smack of "ethical imperialism" or a knee-jerk prescriptive stance? Applied Ethics for Program Evaluation is aimed at sensitizing evaluators, potential clients, and stakeholders in program evaluation. Through use of vignettes, the authors provide the readers with ethical dilemmas and questions to stimulate thinking about the positive and negative consequences of each option. Following an introduction to ethical theories and principles, the authors propose a framework (based on Kitchner's five ethical principles) that can be used in weighing these options. The book concludes by providing valuable suggestions on how evaluators can make informed ethical decisions in their own evaluation practice.

Download or read book The Human Resources Program Evaluation Handbook written by Jack E. Edwards and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2003-07-22 with total page 600 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Human Resources Program-Evaluation Handbook is the first book to present state-of-the-art procedures for evaluating and improving human resources programs. Editors Jack E. Edwards, John C. Scott, and Nambury S. Raju provide a user-friendly yet scientifically rigorous "how to" guide to organizational program-evaluation. Integrating perspectives from a variety of human resources and organizational behavior programs, a wide array of contributing professors, consultants, and governmental personnel successfully link scientific information to practical application. Designed for academics and graduate students in industrial-organizational psychology, human resources management, and business, the handbook is also an essential resource for human resources professionals, consultants, and policy makers.

Download or read book A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation Planning written by Marc A. Zimmerman and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2009 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book guides evaluators in planning a comprehensive, yet practical, program evaluation—from start to design—within any context, in an accessible manner.

Download or read book Practical Program Evaluation written by Huey T. Chen and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2014-10-06 with total page 465 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introducing students to the real world of evaluation and focusing on issues that arise in professional practice, this book shows readers how to systematically identify stakeholders' needs in order to select the evaluation options best suited to meet those needs.

Download or read book Evaluating Professional Development written by Thomas R. Guskey and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2000 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explains how to better evaluate professional development in order to ensure that it increases student learning, providing questions for accurate measurement of professional development and showing how to demonstrate results and accountability.

Download or read book Mixed Methods in Social Inquiry written by Jennifer C. Greene and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2007-10-26 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “This is an excellent addition to the literature of integrated methodology. The author has skillfully integrated diverse ways of thinking about mixed methods into a comprehensive and meaningful framework. By providing detailed examples, she makes it easy for both the students and the practitioners to understand the intricate details and complexities of doing mixed methods research. On the other hand, by comparing, contrasting, and bridging multiple perspectives about mixed methods, she has made this book very relevant and useful to seasoned scholars of mixed methodology.”--Abbas Tashakkori, Frost Professor and coordinator, educational research and evaluation methodology, Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, Florida International University, founding coeditor, Journal of Mixed Methods Research