ABSTRACT

This text provides a solid foundation in program evaluation, covering the main components of evaluating agencies and their programs, how best to address those components, and the procedures to follow when conducting evaluations. Different models and approaches are paired with practical techniques, such as how to plan an interview to collect qualitative data and how to use statistical analyses to report results. In every chapter, case studies provide real world examples of evaluations broken down into the main elements of program evaluation: the needs that led to the program, the implementation of program plans, the people connected to the program, unexpected side effects, the role of evaluators in improving programs, the results, and the factors behind the results. In addition, the story of one of the evaluators involved in each case study is presented to show the human side of evaluation. This new edition also offers enhanced and expanded case studies, making them a central organizing theme, and adds more international examples.

New online resources for this edition include a table of evaluation models, examples of program evaluation reports, sample handouts for presentations to stakeholders, links to YouTube videos and additional annotated resources.  All resources are available for download under the tab eResources at www.routledge.com/9781138103962.

chapter 1|24 pages

Program Evaluation

An Overview

chapter 2|24 pages

Planning an Evaluation

chapter 5|21 pages

Ethics in Program Evaluation

chapter 6|20 pages

The Assessment of Need

chapter 8|21 pages

Qualitative Evaluation Methods

chapter 9|23 pages

Outcome Evaluations with One Group

chapter 11|18 pages

Using Experiments to Evaluate Programs

chapter 12|20 pages

Analyses of Costs and Outcomes

chapter 13|18 pages

Evaluation Reports

Interpreting and Communicating Findings

chapter 14|18 pages

How to Encourage Utilization