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Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines, 3/E
Jody L Fitzpatrick
James R Sanders
Blaine R Worthen

ISBN-10: 0321077067
ISBN-13: 9780321077066

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2004
Format: Paper; 576 pp
Published: 08/06/2003

Suggested retail price: $136.40
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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

I. INTRODUCTION TO EVALUATION.

1. Evaluation's Basic Purpose, Uses and Conceptual Distinctions.

2. Origins of Modern Program Evaluation.

3. Recent Developments and Trends in Evaluation.

II. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO PROGRAM EVALUATION.

4. Alternative Views of Evaluation.

5. Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

6. Management-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

7. Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

8. Expertise-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

9. Adversary-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

10. Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches.

11. Alternative Evaluation Approaches: A Summary and Comparative Analysis.

III. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING EVALUATION.

12. Clarifying the Evaluation Request and Responsibilities.

13. Setting Boundaries and Analyzing the Evaluation Context.

14. Identifying and Selecting the Evaluative Questions and Criteria.

15. Planning How to Conduct the Evaluation.

IV. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING AND USING EVALUATIONS.

16. Dealing with Political, Ethical, and Interpersonal Aspects of Evaluation.

17. Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Quantitative Information.

18. Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Qualitative Information.

19. Reporting and Using Evaluation Information.

20. Evaluating Evaluations.

V. EMERGING AND FUTURE SETTINGS FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION.

21. Conducting Multiple-Site Evaluation Studies.

22. Conducting Evaluations of Organizations Renewal and Training in Corporate and Nonprofit Settings.

23. The Future of Evaluation.

Appendix: Some General Areas of Competence Important in Education Evaluation.

 

“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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