Evaluating Social Programs and Problems: Visions for the New Millennium

by Donaldson; Stewart I.

• ISBN13: 9780805841855
• ISBN10: 0805841857
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Today's evaluators are being challenged to help design and evaluate social programs intended to prevent and ameliorate complex social problems in a variety of settings, including schools, communities, and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Drawing upon the knowledge and experience of world-renowned evaluators, the goal of this new book is to provide the most up-to-date theorizing about how to practice evaluation in the new millennium. It features specific examples of evaluations of social programs and problems, including the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular and promising evaluation approaches, to help readers determine when particular methods are likely to be most effective. As such, it is the most comprehensive volume available on modern theories of evaluation practice. Evaluating Social Programs and Problemspresents diverse, cutting-edge perspectives articulated by prominent evaluators and evaluation theorists on topics including, but not limited to: *Michael Scriven on evaluation as a trans-discipline; *Joseph S. Wholey on results-oriented management; *David Fetterman on empowerment evaluation; *Yvonna S. Lincoln on fourth-generation evaluation; *Donna M. Mertens on inclusive evaluation; *Stewart I. Donaldson on theory-driven evaluation; and *Melvin M. Mark on an integrated view of diverse visions for evaluation. Evaluating Social Programs and Problemsis a valuable resource and should be considered required reading for practicing evaluators, evaluators-in-training, scholars and teachers of evaluation and research methods, and other professionals interested in improving social problem-solving efforts in the new millennium.

Author Biography

Dr. Thomas D. Cook is Professor of Sociology, Psychology, Education and Social Policy Faculty Fellow, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University Dr. William D. Crano is Professor of Psychology at Claremont Graduate University Dr. Stewart I. Donaldson is Professor and Chair of Psychology, Director of the Institute of Organizational and Program Evaluation Research, and Dean of the School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University Dr. David M. Fetterman is a member of the faculty and the Director of the MA Policy Analysis and Evaluation Program in the School of Education at Stanford University Dr. Bianca L. Guzman is a community psychologist and Director of Research of CHOICES Dr. Yvonna S. Lincoln is Ruth Harrington Chair of Educational Leadership and University Distinguished Professor of Higher Education at Texas A&M University Dr. Melvin M. Mark is Professor of Psychology and Senior Scientist at the Institute for Policy Research and Evaluation at Penn State Dr. Donna M. Mertens is a Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and Research at Gallaudet University Dr. Michael Scriven is Professor of Psychology at Claremont Graduate University Dr. Edith P. Thomas is the National Program Leader for Nutrition and Food Security in the Families, 4-H and Nutrition Unit of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Dr. Joseph S. Wholey is Professor of Public Administration at the University of Southern California and Senior Advisor for Performance and Accountability at the U. S. General Accounting Office

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Stewart I. Donaldson
Michael Scriven
PART I: INTRODUCTION
Diverse Visions for Evaluation in the New Millennium: Should We Integrate or Embrace Diversity?	3	(16)
Stewart I. Donaldson
Michael Scriven
PART II: VISIONS FOR EVALUATING SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND PROBLEMS
Evaluation in the New Millennium: The Transdisciplinary Vision	19	(24)
Michael Scriven
Improving Performance and Accountability: Responding to Emerging Management Challenges	43	(20)
Joseph S. Wholey
Empowerment Evaluation Strikes a Responsive Cord	63	(14)
David Fetterman
Fourth Generation Evaluation in the New Millennium	77	(14)
Yvonna S. Lincoln
The Inclusive View of Evaluation: Visions for the New Millennium	91	(18)
Donna M. Mertens
Theory-Driven Program Evaluation in the New Millennium	109	(36)
Stewart I. Donaldson
PART III: REACTIONS & ALTERNATIVE VISIONS
Theory-Driven Evaluation and Construct Validity	145	(14)
William D. Crano
Evaluating Social Programs and Problems: A Discussant's View	159	(8)
Edith P. Thomas
Examining the Role of Cultural Competency in Program Evaluation: Visions for New Millennium Evaluators	167	(16)
Bianca L. Guzman
Toward a Integrative View of the Theory and Practice of Program and Policy Evaluation	183	(22)
Melvin M. Mark
About the Contributors	205	(6)
Author Index	211	(4)
Subject Index	215