"Showing how evaluation practice looks when guided by theory, the third edition of the influential "theory tree" book is significantly revised with over 80% new material, including a greater focus on equity and theories over theorists. Chapters from leading authorities describe the goals of each the ... ory; the type of evaluation for which it is appropriate (formative, summary formative, summative, adaptive); the size of the program for which it is most applicable; specific prescriptions; and observable actions that help to define the theory. Readers are given the tools to select suitable approaches for the size, contexts and stage of an evaluation and their own personal values. New to this edition: chapters on culturally responsive evaluation, indigenous evaluation, and developmental evaluation; organized around theories rather than individual theorists; increased attention to practical applications, including a chapter distilling the goals, methods, and standards of evaluations based on each theory; and a case study chapter on the role of theory in evaluation policy." (Publisher description) more

"The focus of this book is on evaluation theory rather than on practice, even though we do suggest implications for practice. We believe theory is used to justify and inform practice, so the theory makes a difference to practice over the long run. And practice can inform theory, as it has done many ... times in the past. But, again, our focus is on reconciling evaluation theory with philosophy, which means this is not a how-to-do-it book. Rather, it is a book that develops middle-range evaluation theory consistent with contemporary thinking in philosophy (albeit a particular strand), especially thinking about democracy. A middle-range theory would suggest some attributes that evaluations should have, without necessarily specifying how to achieve them in particular cases. So the book offers a perspective about evaluation rather than a model of how to do evaluation." (Preface, page x) more