Description
Book SynopsisThis is one of the most coherent and comprehensive theories ofevaluation yet formulated and one that makes a most valuablecontribution. The authors are pioneering in important newdirections.
--Ernest R. House, author of Professional Evaluation and Evaluatingwith Validity
This book is the best I''ve ever read detailing a practical theoryof evaluation. It is comprehensive, beautifully written, and makessense of the evaluation enterprise. It does so by emphasizing themajor function of evaluation as sense-making about policies andprograms.
--Thomas D. Cook, professor, sociology, psychology, education, andpublic policy, Northwestern University
Programs that serve the needs of the public continually facechanges brought by social, political, and economic forces. Tosurvive these changes, organizations must evaluate their programswisely and realistically. This book offers a new approach toevaluation, one that will encourage all kinds of organizations andagencies to imp
Trade Review"It is a text thoroughly worth the attention of anyone interested in the field of evaluation." (
CharityChannel.com, August 4, 2003)
Table of ContentsA Brief Overview of the Evaluation Enterprise.
A Framework for Describing and Planning Evaluations.
Social Betterment.
Realist Foundations for Sensemaking Through Evaluation.
Aligning Betterment, Purposes, Modes of Inquiry, and Methods forSensemaking in a Realist World.
Evaluation Planning for Sensemaking in a Real(ist) World.
Methods for Description.
Classification.
Methods for Causal Analysis.
Values Inquiry.
Evaluation as Assisted Sensemaking: A Reprise.
