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 Context A Framework for Its Influence on Evaluation Practice written by Debra J. Rog and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2012-10-09 with total page 120 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 377 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 Evaluation Practice written by Elizabeth DePoy and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 2012-10-12 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evaluation Practice bridges the apparent gap between practice and research to present a logical, systematic model to guide all professional thinking and action within the context of everyday professional life. Their framework embraces diverse theories, action, and sets of evidence from a range of professional and disciplinary perspectives.
Download or read book What Counts as Credible Evidence in Applied Research and Evaluation Practice written by Stewart I. Donaldson and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2009 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "What Counts as Credible Evidence in Applied Research and Evaluation Practice? is the first book of its kind to define and place into greater perspective the meaning of evidence for evaluation professionals and applied researchers. Editors Stewart I. Donaldson, Christina A. Christie, and Melvin M. Mark provide observations about the diversity and changing nature of credible evidence, include lessons from their own applied research and evaluation practice, and suggest ways in which practitioners might address the key issues and challenges of collecting credible evidence." "This book is appropriate for a wide range of courses, including Introduction to Evaluation Research, Research Methods, Evaluation Practice, Program Evaluation, Program Development and Evaluation, and evaluation courses in Social Work, Education, Public Health, and Public Policy."--BOOK JACKET.
Download or read book Evaluation Roots written by Marvin C. Alkin and published by Guilford Publications. This book was released on 2023-01-27 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Showing how evaluation practice looks when guided by theory, the third edition of the influential "theory tree" book is significantly revised with over 80% new material, including a greater focus on equity and theories over theorists. Chapters from leading authorities describe the goals of each theory; the type of evaluation for which it is appropriate (formative, summary formative, summative, adaptive); the size of the program for which it is most applicable; specific prescriptions; and observable actions that help to define the theory. Readers are given the tools to select suitable approaches for the size, contexts and stage of an evaluation and their own personal values. New to This Edition *Chapters on culturally responsive evaluation, Indigenous evaluation, and developmental evaluation. *Organized around theories rather than individual theorists. *Increased attention to practical applications, including a chapter distilling the goals, methods, and standards of evaluations based on each theory. *Case study chapter on the role of theory in evaluation policy.
Download or read book Evaluation in Action written by Jody Fitzpatrick and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2009 with total page 473 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An innovative approach to program evaluation that takes readers behind the scenes of real evaluations and the decisions the evaluators made.
Download or read book Continuing the Journey to Reposition Culture and Cultural Context in Evaluation Theory and Practice written by Stafford Hood and published by IAP. This book was released on 2014-12-01 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity has become of global importance in places where many never would have imagined. Increasing diversity in the U.S., Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and Asia strongly suggests that a homogeneity-based focus is rapidly becoming an historical artifact. Therefore, culturally responsive evaluation (CRE) should no longer be viewed as a luxury or an option in our work as evaluators. The continued amplification of racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity and awareness among the populations of the U.S. and other western nations insists that social science researchers and evaluators inextricably engage culturally responsive approaches in their work. It is unacceptable for most mainstream university evaluation programs, philanthropic agencies, training institutes sponsored by federal agencies, professional associations, and other entities to promote professional evaluation practices that do not attend to CRE. Our global demographics are a reality that can be appropriately described and studied within the context of complexity theory and theory of change (e.g., Stewart, 1991; Battram, 1999). And this perspective requires a distinct shift from “simple” linear cause-effect models and reductionist thinking to include more holistic and culturally responsive approaches. The development of policy that is meaningfully responsive to the needs of traditionally disenfranchised stakeholders and that also optimizes the use of limited resources (human, natural, and financial) is an extremely complex process. Fortunately, we are presently witnessing developments in methods, instruments, and statistical techniques that are mixed methods in their paradigm/designs and likely to be more effective in informing policymaking and decision-making. Culturally responsive evaluation is one such phenomenon that positions itself to be relevant in the context of dynamic international and national settings where policy and program decisions take place. One example of a response to address this dynamic and need is the newly established Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA) in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. CREA is an outgrowth of the collective work and commitments of a global community of scholars and practitioners who have contributed chapters to this edited volume. It is an international and interdisciplinary evaluation center that is grounded in the need for designing and conducting evaluations and assessments that embody cognitive, cultural, and interdisciplinary diversity so as to be actively responsive to culturally diverse communities and their aspirations. The Center’s purpose is to address questions, issues, theories, and practices related to CRE and culturally responsive educational assessment. Therefore, CREA can serve as a vehicle for our continuing discourse on culture and cultural context in evaluation and also as a point of dissemination for not only the work that is included in this edited volume, but for the subsequent work it will encourage.
Download or read book Culturally Responsive Approaches to Evaluation written by Jill Anne Chouinard and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2019-09-27 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evaluators have always worked in diverse communities, and the programs they evaluate are designed to address often intractable socio-political and economic issues. Evaluations that explicitly aim to be more responsive to culture and cultural context are, however, a more recent phenomenon. In this book, Jill Anne Chouinard and Fiona Cram utilize a conceptual framework that foregrounds culture in social inquiry, and then uses that framework to analyze empirical studies across three distinct cultural domains of evaluation practice (Western, Indigenous and international development). Culturally Responsive Approaches to Evaluation provide a comparative analysis of these studies and discuss lessons drawn from them in order to help evaluators extend their current thinking and practice. They conclude with an agenda for future research.
Download or read book Evaluation Roots written by Marvin C. Alkin and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2004-02-19 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Initially, evaluation was derived from social science research methodology and accountability concerns. This book examines evaluation theories and traces their evolution with the point of view that theories build upon theories and, therefore, evaluation theories are related to each other.
Download or read book The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation written by Ian Shaw and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2006-07-10 with total page 631 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ′This handbook thoroughly covers all aspects of evaluation, yet isn′t too technical to understand. It offers everything an organization needs to know to get the most out of evaluation′ - Nonprofit World `The Handbook succeeds in capturing and presenting evaluation′s extensive knowledge base within a global context. In so doing it provides a useful, coherent and definitive benchmark on the field′s diverse and dynamic purposes, practices, theories, approaches, issues, and challenges for the 21st century. The Handbook is an essential reference and map for any serious evaluation practitioner, scholar and student anywhere in the world′ - Michael Quinn Patton, author of Utilization-Focused Evaluation `Readers of this volume will find a set of texts that provide an evocative overview of contemporary thinking in the world of evaluation. This is not a book of simple tips. It does justice to the complex realities of evaluation practice by bringing together some of the best practitioners in the world to reflect on its current state. It is theoretically sophisticated yet eminently readable, anchored in evaluation as it is undertaken in a variety of domains. It is the kind of book that startles a little and makes you think. I highly recommend it′ - Murray Saunders, University of Lancaster In this comprehensive handbook, an examination of the complexities of contemporary evaluation contributes to the ongoing dialogue that arises in professional efforts to evaluate people-related programs, policies and practices. The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation is a unique and authoritative resource consisting of 25 chapters covering a range of evaluation theories and techniques in a single, accessible volume. With contributions from world-leading figures in their fields overseen by an eminent international editorial board, this handbook is an extensive and user-friendly resource organised in four coherent sections: " Role and Purpose of Evaluation in Society; " Evaluation as a Social Practice; " The Practice of Evaluation; " Domains of Evaluation Practice. The Handbook of Evaluation is written for practicing evaluators, academics, advanced postgraduate students and evaluation clients and offers a definitive, benchmark statement on evaluation theory and practice for the first decades of the 21st century.
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 Influence of Contextual Elements on Comprehensive Evaluations of Multi Level Interventions written by Jenica Huddleston and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are large gaps in information currently about the way evaluations of multi-level interventions are conceptualized and implemented in public health practice. Existing evaluation literature provides little guidance to evaluators as they attempt to design and implement comprehensive evaluations of such interventions. Multi-level interventions that attempt to create change or impact at two or more levels are being developed and implemented with increasing frequency in several fields, including public health. However, these interventions are often not comprehensively evaluated. If evaluation is conducted, it is often piece-meal, and important elements such as data collection on all levels intervened are often lacking. The reasons behind this disconnect between the comprehensiveness of the intervention and evaluation is not clear. This dissertation was conducted to fill a current gap in the fields of evaluation and public health. This study expands knowledge by having assessed current multi-level projects and their context, in order to better understand contextual elements described as influencing the comprehensiveness of their evaluations. The author reviewed literature and current evaluation practice around multi-level evaluations and developed a Framework for Comprehensive Evaluation of Multi-Level Interventions (Framework). A multiple case study was conducted with four projects evaluating multi-level interventions in tobacco control and childhood obesity to further understand contextual elements influencing their evaluation. Analysis of case data took place individually for each project, across projects within the same field, and across the fields of tobacco control and childhood obesity. Case data were later compared with the Framework, to assess how contextual elements influenced evaluations of projects studied. Cases studied provided information on strengths and challenges of their evaluations, sources of information used in the development of their evaluations, and contextual elements that influenced their evaluations. Great overlap was found between cases and across the fields studied. These projects developed their evaluations using similar sources of information and expertise. Also, many similar elements were described as influencing the comprehensiveness of their evaluations. While the original Framework and hypotheses developed early in the study were not fully supported, case data provided valuable information on nuance around contextual elements, such as how different elements influenced evaluation development versus evaluation comprehensiveness. Ultimately, the combination of having strong internal capacity for evaluation, access to external evaluation expertise, adequate and consistent funding for the evaluation, a logic model and other sources of information to guide the evaluation, and flexibility to modify the evaluation as needed, were found as key factors for the success and comprehensiveness of projects studied. This pattern was found across the cases and across both fields. Field itself may not be a particularly distinguishing factor for cases studied in evaluation development, comprehensiveness, or contextual elements influencing these areas. Projects studied may be providing guidance to others based on their successes around evaluation comprehensiveness, expertise, and amount of time they have been funded and evaluating their programs, rather than their field. And it may be that childhood obesity as a newer field for multi-level interventions, and with large amounts of new funding, is looking to others, especially other programs with many years of multi-level intervention and evaluation experience for more guidance at this time. Recommendations were developed to address challenges identified, promote promising strategies, and provide considerations for future work. Recommendations were developed to address areas including: capturing synergy, determining "who gets credit", funding issues, access to evaluators and improved training of evaluators, reporting and communication, building an evidence base, use of logic models, inclusion of external evaluation experts, building internal capacity, and flexibility to modify evaluations as needed. Information gathered through this dissertation can be used by multiple audiences to improve evaluations of multi-level interventions in the future. Multi-level projects, such as those studied, are not carried out quickly or simply, so having multiple suggestions for improvement, to help with the development, comprehensiveness and other areas of the evaluation, can be quite helpful. The ultimate goal of this dissertation was to provide the fields of evaluation and public health with information to increase comprehensiveness and quality of evaluations for multi-level interventions in the future. Future work beyond this dissertation can go in several directions, including advancing recommendations provided, further study of elements within the Framework, or studying contextual elements beyond those in the Framework, which may also influence evaluation comprehensiveness. Additionally, future studies could look at other cases within these fields, or fields beyond tobacco control and childhood obesity, that are carrying out multi-level interventions, to see if similar patterns are found.
Download or read book Handbook on Evaluation written by Reinhard Stockmann and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2024-08-06 with total page 421 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this Handbook, Reinhard Stockmann and other esteemed experts in the field provide a systematic and comprehensive exploration into the planning, process, implementation and utilisation of evaluations. Covering the process and individual steps of evaluation in detail, in chronological order and in terms of practical application, it identifies the characteristics and standards that distinguish a professionally and competently conducted evaluation.
Download or read book The Science of Evaluation written by Ray Pawson and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2013-02-01 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evaluation researchers are tasked with providing the evidence to guide programme building and to assess its outcomes. As such, they labour under the highest expectations - bringing independence and objectivity to policy making. They face huge challenges, given the complexity of modern interventions and the politicised backdrop to all of their investigations. They have responded with a huge portfolio of research techniques and, through their professional associations, have set up schemes to establish standards for evaluative inquiry and to accredit evaluation practitioners. A big question remains. Has this monumental effort produced a progressive, cumulative and authoritative body of knowledge that we might think of as evaluation science? This is the question addressed by Ray Pawson in this sequel to Realistic Evaluation and Evidence-based Policy. In answer, he provides a detailed blueprint for an evaluation science based on realist principles.
Download or read book Foundations of Program Evaluation written by William R. Shadish and published by SAGE. This book was released on 1991 with total page 544 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Foundations of Program Evaluationheralds a thorough exploration of the field of program evaluation--looking back on its origins. By summarizing, comparing, and contrasting the work of seven major theorists of program evaluation, this book provides an important perspective on the current state of evaluation theory and provides suggestions for ways of improving its practice. Beginning in Chapter Two, the authors develop a conceptual framework to analyze how successfully each theory meets the specific criteria of its framework. Each subsequent chapter is devoted to the presentation of the theoretical and practical advice of a significant theorist--Michael Scriven, Donald Campbell, Carol Weiss, Joseph Wholey, Robert Stake, Lee Cronbach, and Peter Rossi.
Download or read book Utilization Focused Evaluation written by Michael Quinn Patton and published by SAGE Publications, Incorporated. This book was released on 1986 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second edition of Patton's classic text retains the practical advice, based on empirical observation and evaluation theory, of the original. It shows how to conduct an evaluation, from beginning to end, in a way that will be useful -- and actually used. Patton believes that evaluation epitomizes the challenges of producing and using information in the information age. His latest book includes new stories, new examples, new research findings, and more of Patton's evaluation humour. He adds to the original book's insights and analyses of the changes in evaluation during the past decade, including: the emergence of evaluation as a field of professional practice; articulation of standards for evaluation; a methodological synthesis of the qualitative versus quantitative debate; the tremendous growth of 'in-house' evaluations; and the cross-cultural development of evaluation as a profession. This edition also incorporates the considerable research done on utilization during the last ten years. Patton integrates diverse findings into a coherent framework which includes: articulation of utilization-focused evaluation premises; examination of the stakeholder assumption; and clarification of the meaning of utilization. --Publisher description.
