The Practice-Theory Relationship in Evaluation: New Directions for Evaluation, No. 97

by Editor: Christina A. Christie

• ISBN13: 9780787968625
• ISBN10: 0787968625
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Table of Contents

EDITOR'S NOTES	1	(6)
Christina A. Christie
1. What Guides Evaluation? A Study of How Evaluation Practice Maps onto Evaluation Theory	7	(30)
Christina A. Christie
The results of an empirical study are portrayed in a comparative two-dimensional framework that
describes the self-reported evaluation practices of eight evaluation theorists and then is also
used to assess and describe the real-world practices of a sample of evaluation practitioners.
2. Important Questions, Intriguing Method, Incomplete Answers	37	(10)
Lois-ellin Datta
The author triangulates Christie's findings with other research on the evaluation practice-theory
relationship and offers additional methods and directions for future research on evaluation practice.
3. Fetterman-House: A Process Use Distinction and a Theory	47	(6)
David Fetterman
The concept of process use is discussed as an important distinction between the evaluation theories
of House and Fetterman, thus helping to explain Christie's discordant results for these two theorists.
4. Stakeholder Bias	53	(4)
Ernest R. House
The nature of stakeholder participation in evaluation is analyzed. House's commitment to involving
all stakeholders-to ensure that the interests of all are included-is contrasted with other theorists'
preference to involve a few stakeholders more intensely.
5. The Challenge of studying Evaluation Theory	57	(12)
Jean A. King
This chapter discusses why evaluation as a field has not systematically studied its own theory, then
examines the tensions between Lewin's often-cited claim that there is nothing so practical as a good
theory and Fullan's response that there is nothing so theoretical as good practice.
6. Toward an Agenda for Research on Evaluation	69	(12)
Gary T. Henry, Melvin M. Mark
Building on Christie's innovative work, the authors chart a future agenda for research on evaluation.
7. Evaluation Theory and Practice: Insights and New Directions	81	(10)
Marvin C. Alkin
The chapter provides a synthesis of the critical commentary of each of the volume contributors.
8. Understanding Evaluation Theory and Its Role in Guiding Practice: Formal, Folk, and Otherwise	91	(3)
Christina A. Christie
A final comment is presented on the role that evaluation theory plays in practice.
INDEX	94
1888212284
Introduction	7	(6)
Part I: The Heart of the Matter
1 Looking for the Truth	13	(8)
The Age of Reasons
The Turning Point
A New Path
Where Is Love?
2 Warning Signs	21	(8)
The End of the Line
A New Journey Begins
The Stage Is Set
3 Gods of the Scriptures	29	(12)
Finding a Flaw
Am I a Christian?
Truth Is Unimportant?
Truth Is a Mosaic?
Relativism and "The Light That You Have"
Moving Toward an Answer
4 Sola Scriptura: The Heart of the Matter	41	(8)
Subjective Evidence
The Sad Conclusion
5 Faith and History	49	(8)
The Philosophical Road
History, Not Theology
6 Truth Is a Promise	57	(10)
Settling Questions
Where Is the New Testament Church?
Orthodoxy, and Home
Part II: Rite and Wrong
7 Love Beyond Reason	67	(10)
Rationalism
Head Knowledge, Heart Knowledge The Doorway to Love
The Idea of God Finding the Love
8 A Living Salvation	77	(8)
Understanding Sacraments
A Living Salvation How Do We Love God?
9 The Right Ritual	85	(10)
The Rituals of God
"New" Rituals
Opening God's Doorways
Where Is Oneness?
10 "Just Jesus and Me"	95	(8)
Selfless Sacraments
All As One
11 The Light and the Path	103	(14)
The Surprising Problem
The Scriptures: "A Light Unto My Path"
The Leading of the Spirit
A Case in Point
Maybe It Is Scriptural
Part III: The Wad of Love
12 It's Not Just for Grown-Ups Anymore!	117	(12)
Scriptural Precedent
The Spirit's Indwelling
A Self-Contradicting Belief
What about Free Will?
Repentance
Seeing with New Eyes
13 The Eucharist	129	(6)
Taking Things Literally
Living the Incarnation
The Taste of Life
14 Liturgy	135	(10)
Worship and Obedience
Sunday Morning Comin' Down
Growth and Change
15 Formal Prayer	145	(12)
Screwtape on Spontaneity
The Purpose of Prayer
How Do You Hear God?
More Than Just a Friend
Passionate Prayer
Praying Sacramentally
The Rite of Prayer
Renewing the Mind
Growing in the Experience of God
Praying in the Moment
16 Mary, the Theotokos	157	(8)
There Is Something Special about Mary
Who Is Mary?
"Blessed Art Thou Among Women"
17 The Saints	165	(12)
The State of the Departed
The Verdict Is In
Living in the Spiritual Realm
Not of This World
18 To Be Orthodox	177	(8)
The Challenge
The Obstacle and the Remedy
Who Is the Judge?
Will He Find Faith?
Notes	185