Program Evaluation Theory and Practice: A Comprehensive Guide
New York; London: Guilford Press, 3rd ed. (2025), xxii, 631 pp.
Contains acronyms pp. xxi-xxii, glossary pp. 549-556, bibliogr. pp. 557-590, index
ISBN 978-1-4625-5590- (pbk)
Other editions: 2nd ed. 2019
"Covering both the theory and practice of evaluation in one engaging volume, this leading text is now in a revised third edition. It features additional evaluation approaches, such as the Indigenous paradigm; new examples, ranging from small to large and multi-site evaluations; and more. Instructors praise the diverse evaluations, many with reflective commentary from evaluators, and rich pedagogical features. The text describes the major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and the ways they inform methodological choices. Readers learn effective strategies for clarifying their own theoretical assumptions; working with stakeholders; developing questions; using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs; choosing data collection and sampling strategies; analyzing data; and communicating and utilizing findings. The book includes guidance for planning an evaluation of a specific project or program. Extensive recommended online resources and tools are provided at the companion website." (Publisher description)
I. THE LANDSCAPE OF EVALUATION
1 Introduction to Evaluation: Defining Terms and Ethical Considerations, 3
2 History of Evaluation and Philosophical Frameworks, 31
II. EVALUATION PARADIGMS, BRANCHES, THEORIES, AND APPROACHES
3 The Postpositivist Paradigm and the Methods Branch, 55
4 The Pragmatic Paradigm and the Use Branch, 85
5 The Constructivist Paradigm and the Values Branch, 123
6 The Transformative Paradigm and the Social Justice Branch, 145
7 The Indigenous Paradigm and the Needs and Context Branch, 191
III. PLANNING EVALUATIONS
8 Working with Stakeholders: Establishing the Context and the Evaluand, 217
9 Evaluation Purposes, Types, and Questions, 253
10 Evaluation Designs, 291
11 Data Collection Strategies and Indicators, 341
12 Stakeholders, Participants, and Sampling, 409
13 Data Analysis and Interpretation, 443
IV. IMPLEMENTATION IN EVALUATION: COMMUNICATION AND UTILIZATION OF FINDINGS, MANAGEMENT, META-EVALUATION, AND CHALLENGES
14 Communication and Utilization of Findings, 481
15 Meta-Evaluation and Project Management, 511
16 Perennial and Emerging Challenges in Evaluation, 537
1 Introduction to Evaluation: Defining Terms and Ethical Considerations, 3
2 History of Evaluation and Philosophical Frameworks, 31
II. EVALUATION PARADIGMS, BRANCHES, THEORIES, AND APPROACHES
3 The Postpositivist Paradigm and the Methods Branch, 55
4 The Pragmatic Paradigm and the Use Branch, 85
5 The Constructivist Paradigm and the Values Branch, 123
6 The Transformative Paradigm and the Social Justice Branch, 145
7 The Indigenous Paradigm and the Needs and Context Branch, 191
III. PLANNING EVALUATIONS
8 Working with Stakeholders: Establishing the Context and the Evaluand, 217
9 Evaluation Purposes, Types, and Questions, 253
10 Evaluation Designs, 291
11 Data Collection Strategies and Indicators, 341
12 Stakeholders, Participants, and Sampling, 409
13 Data Analysis and Interpretation, 443
IV. IMPLEMENTATION IN EVALUATION: COMMUNICATION AND UTILIZATION OF FINDINGS, MANAGEMENT, META-EVALUATION, AND CHALLENGES
14 Communication and Utilization of Findings, 481
15 Meta-Evaluation and Project Management, 511
16 Perennial and Emerging Challenges in Evaluation, 537
