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Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines, 3/E
Jody L. Fitzpatrick, University of Colorado at Denver
James R. Sanders, Western Michigan University
Blaine R. Worthen, Utah State University

ISBN-10: 0321077067
ISBN-13:  9780321077066

Publisher:  Allyn & Bacon
Copyright:  2004
Format:  Paper; 576 pp
Published:  08/06/2003
We're sorry, this product is no longer available and has been replaced with Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines, 4/E.

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Description

The most comprehensive and well-respected text on program evaluation. Provides an overview of a 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 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.


Features

  • Comprehensive and applied with complete information on the background of program evaluation and current applications so that students receive a thorough grounding in the field.
  • Eclectic coverage permits students to select the approach that best matches circumstances they are confronting.
  • Incorporates applications of program evaluation with a foundation for different approaches evaluators can take, ethical concerns, and a context for how evaluation has evolved and the controversies we face today.
  • A well-respected and expert author team that has taught and practiced in this area for years and served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and published and/or edited its major journal makes this the most authoritative text available.


New To This Edition

  • Use of technology, from Web-based surveys to qualitative data analysis, is addressed throughout the text and in an Appendix that lists Websites with evaluation-related information. These provide students with resources for additional study and means for linking with local, national, and international evaluation organizations.
  • The methods chapters have been revised so they no longer separate qualitative and quantitative methods, but instead integrate these methods and follow the logical sequence of choices in methods: design, sampling, and data collection.
  • For increased clarity, tables and figures have been added to several chapters (history, methods choices, etc.).
  • Content is updated throughout the text to include new findings and controversies such as advocacy in evaluation. This discussion will help students learn more about their role as advocates versus "neutral" evaluators.

 


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



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“I like this book because it is very practical. Even non-evaluators can easily understand how to do an evaluation from reading this book. The authors take an eclectic approach rather than being wedded to one specific approach to evaluation.”
Susan B. Twombly University of Kansas

The most comprehensive text on the market, Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines, 3/e provides an overview of a wide variety of approaches to evaluation and extensive practical guidelines for carrying 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.

New to This Edition

  • Use of technology, from web-based surveys to qualitative data analysis, is addressed throughout the text and an appendix lists web sites with evaluation-related information.
  • The methods chapters have been revised so that they no longer separate qualitative and quantitative methods, but instead integrate these methods and follow the logical sequence of choices in methods; design, sampling, and data collection.
  • For increased ease of use, tables and figures have been added to most chapters in the text.
  • Content is up-dated throughout the text to include new findings and controversies such as advocacy in evaluation. This discussion will help students learn more about their role as advocates versus “neutral” evaluators.

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