ABSTRACT
Selecting an appropriate evaluation model, approach, or design can be difficult in rural communities. Mainly because a lot of designs are tested in urban contexts, at universities or research and evaluation centers with larger populations. This chapter introduces different evaluation approaches that have been used in rural America. There are various approaches rural evaluators use depending on the needs of the community, funding agency, and stakeholders involved. R. L. Hogan describes six separate approaches used in program evaluation in the 21st century. These are objectives-oriented, management-oriented, consumer-oriented, expertise-oriented, adversary-oriented, and participant-oriented evaluation. Impact Evaluation is used to assess impacts in rural programs and interventions. Impact evaluations are critical in rural America because they help us understand outcomes related to a program or intervention. Impact evaluations build a strong evidence base while providing guidance for future programming and policy.
