Program evaluation : alternative approaches and practical guidelines
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Program evaluation : alternative approaches and practical guidelines
Allyn and Bacon, c2004
3rd ed
Available at 6 libraries
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 519-541) and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The most comprehensive text on program evalation, providing an overview of a wide variety of approaches to evaluation and extensive practical guidelines for how to carry out evaluation studies successfully. This text helps both students and professionals who are new to evaluation to understand how the field has evolved , what different approaches an evaluator can take in conducting evaluations, and how to plan and conduct an evaluation. The text makes extensive use of checklists, examples, and a comprehensive case study. Finally, throughout the book, students are introduced to current trends and controversial issues in evaluation and ways to conduct evaluations in an ethical and professional manner.
Table of Contents
Preface-xiii
PART ONE * Introduction to Evaluation-1
1 Evaluation's Basic Purpose, Uses, and Conceptual Distinctions-3
A Brief Definition of Evaluation-4
Informal versus Formal Evaluation-8
Distinguishing between Evaluation's Purposes and Evaluators' Roles and Activities-9
Some Basic Types of Evaluation-16
Evaluation's Importance-and Its Limitations-26
2 Origins and Current Trends in Modern Program Evaluation-30
The History and Influence of Evaluation in Society-30
Recent Trends Influencing Program Evaluation-44
PART TWO * Alternative Approaches to Program Evaluation-53
3 Alternative Views of Evaluation-57
Diverse Conceptions of Program Evaluation-58
Origins of Alternative Views of Evaluation-59
Themes among the Variations-67
A Classification Schema for Evaluation Approaches-68
4 Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-71
Developers of the Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approach and Their Contributions-72
How the Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approach Has Been Used-80
Strengths and Limitations of the Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approach-82
5 Management-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-88
Developers of the Management-Oriented Evaluation Approach and Their Contributions-89
How the Management-Oriented Evaluation Approach Has Been Used-94
Strengths and Limitations of the Management-Oriented Evaluation Approach-95
6 Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-100
Developers of the Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approach and Their Contributions-101
How the Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approach Has Been Used-104
Strengths and Limitations of the Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approach-108
7 Expertise-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-112
Developers of the Expertise-Oriented Evaluation Approach and Their Contributions-114
How the Expertise-Oriented Evaluation Approach Has Been Used-121
Strengths and Limitations of the Expertise-OrientedEvaluation Approach-123
8 Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-129
Evolution of Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-130
Developers of the Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approach and Their Contributions-131
How Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches Have Been Used-145
Strengths and Limitations of Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches-146
9 Alternative Evaluation Approaches: A Summary and Comparative Analysis-152
Cautions about the Alternative Evaluation Approaches-153
Contributions of the Alternative Evaluation Approaches-158
Comparative Analysis of Characteristics of Alternative Evaluation Approaches-159
Eclectic Uses of the Alternative Evaluation Approaches-163
Drawing Practical Implications from the Alternative Evaluation Approaches-165
PART THREE * Practical Guidelines for Planning Evaluations-169
Introduction of Case Study-170
10 Clarifying the Evaluation Request and Responsibilities-173
Understanding the Reasons for Initiating the Evaluation-174
Conditions under which Evaluation Studies Are Inappropriate-178
Determining When an Evaluation Is Appropriate: Evaluability Assessment-182
Using an Internal or External Evaluator-185
Hiring an Evaluator-189
How Different Evaluation Approaches Clarify the Evaluation Request and Responsibilites-192
11 Setting Boundaries and Analyzing the Evaluation Context-199
Identifying Intended Audiences for an Evaluation-200
Describing What Is to Be Evaluated: Setting the Boundaries-203
Analyzing the Resources and Capabilities That Can Be Committed to the Evaluation-212
Analyzing the Political Context for the Evaluation-216
Variations Caused by the Evaluation Approach Used-217
Determining Whether to Proceed with the Evaluation-219
12 Identifying and Selecting the Evaluation Questions and Criteria-232
Identifying Appropriate Sources of Questions and Criteria: The Divergent Phase-234
Selecting the Questions, Criteria, and Issues to Be Addressed: The Convergent Phase-246
Remaining Flexible during the Evaluation: Allowing New Questions,Criteria, and Standards to Emerge-253
13 Planning How to Conduct the Evaluation-260
Identifying Design and Data Collection Methods-262
Specifying How the Evaluation Will Be Conducted: The Management Plan-275
Establishing Evaluation Agreements and Contracts-285
PART FOUR * Practical Guidelines for Conducting and Using Evaluations-301
14 Collecting Evaluation Information: Design, Sampling, and Cost Choices-303
Using Mixed Methods-304
Designs for Collecting Causal and Descriptive Information-307
Sampling-320
Cost Analysis-324
15 Collecting Evaluation Information: Data Sources and Methods, Analysis, and Interpretation-334
Common Sources and Methods for Collecting Information-335
Planning and Organizing the Collection of Information-356
Analysis of Data and Interpretation of Findings-358
16 Reporting and Using Evaluation Information-375
Purposes of Evaluation Reports-376
Important Factors in Planning Evaluation Reports-377
Key Components of a Written Report-382
Suggestions for Presenting Information in Written Reports-388
Alternative Methods for Reporting: The Adversary Approach-394
Human and Humane Considerations in Reporting Evaluation Findings-395
Suggestions for Effective Oral Reporting-398
A Checklist for Good Evaluation Reports-400
How Evaluation Information Is Used-400
17 Dealing with Political, Ethical, and Interpersonal Aspects of Evaluation-411
Establishing and Maintaining Good Communications among Evaluators and Stakeholders-412
Understanding Potential Bias Resulting from the Evaluator's Personal Values and Interpersonal, Financial, and Organizational Relationships with Others-415
Maintaining Ethical Standards: Considerations, Issues, and Responsibilities for Evaluators and Clients-423
Political Pressures and Problems in Evaluation-432
18 Evaluating Evaluations-442
The Concept and Evolution of Metaevaluation-443
The Joint Committee's Standards for Program Evaluation-444
Summary of the Program Evaluation Standards-445
AEA Guiding Principles for Evaluators-449
The Role of Metaevaluator-451
Some General Guidelines for Conducting Metaevaluations-453
A Need for More Metaevaluation-455
PART FIVE * Emerging and Future Settings for Program Evaluation-461
19 Conducting Multiple-Site Evaluation Studies-463
Purposes and Characteristics of Multiple-Site Evaluations-464
Multisite Evaluation (MSE)-466
On-Site Evaluation at Multiple Sites-471
Cluster Evaluation-475
Other Approaches to Multiple-Site Evaluation-481
20 Conducting Evaluation of Organizations' Renewal and Training in Corporate and Nonprofit Settings-485
Evaluation in the Nonprofit Sector-486
Evaluating Corporate Training Programs-491
Personnel Evaluation-495
Other Methods of Organizational Assessment-497
21 The Future of Evaluation-507
The Future of Evaluation-508
Predictions concerning the Profession of Evaluation-508
Predictions concerning the Practice of Evaluation-510
A Vision for Evaluation-513
Conclusion-513
Suggested Readings-514
APPENDIX-Evaluation-Related Web Sites-515
References-519
Author Index-543
Subject Index-551
by "Nielsen BookData"