Small-Scale Evaluation : Principles and Practice

by Colin Robson

• ISBN13: 9780761955108
• ISBN10: 0761955100
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-11
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

Summary

How can evaluation be used most effectively, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods? Colin Robson provides guidance in a clear and uncluttered way. The issue of collaboration is examined step-by-step; stakeholder models are compared with techniques such as participatory evaluation and practitioner-centred action research; ethical and political considerations are placed in context; and the best ways of communicating findings are discussed. Each chapter is illustrated with helpful exercises to show the practical application of the issues covered, making this an invaluable introduction for anyone new to evaluation.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgements	x
Introduction	1	(1)
Who is the book for?	1	(1)
What do you need to be able to carry out an evaluation?	2	(1)
What is a small-scale evaluation?	3	(1)
Using the book	3	(1)
A note on `tasks'	4	(1)
Initial tasks	4	(2)
Evaluation: The What and the Why	6	(9)
Why evaluate?	7	(1)
What is evaluation?	8	(3)
Possible foci for evaluation	11	(2)
Tasks	13	(2)
The Advantages of Collaboration	15	(13)
Stakeholders	16	(3)
Other models of involvement	19	(3)
Using consultants	22	(1)
Persuading practitioners to be involved	23	(1)
When is some form of participatory evaluation indicated?	24	(2)
Tasks	26	(2)
Ethical and Political Considerations	28	(17)
Ethical issues	29	(1)
Consent	29	(3)
Privacy	32	(3)
Risk in relation to benefit	35	(3)
The problem of unintended consequences	38	(1)
Evaluations involving children and other vulnerable populations	39	(1)
Ethical boards and committees	40	(1)
The politics of evaluation	41	(3)
Tasks	44	(1)
Designs for Different Purposes	45	(34)
Evaluation questions	45	(3)
Types of evaluation	48	(6)
Evaluation of outcomes	54	(8)
Evaluation of processes	62	(6)
Evaluating for improvement	68	(10)
Tasks	78	(1)
Getting Answers to Evaluation Questions	79	(27)
Methods of collecting information	80	(2)
Some commonly used research methods	82	(19)
Sampling	101	(1)
Prespecified v. emergent designs	102	(1)
Doing a shoe-string evaluation	103	(1)
Tasks	104	(2)
Some Practicalities	106	(15)
Time budgeting	106	(3)
Gaining access	109	(2)
Getting organized	111	(2)
Analysing the data	113	(7)
Tasks	120	(1)
Communicating the Findings	121	(6)
Evaluation reports	121	(3)
Facilitating the implementation of evaluation findings	124	(1)
Tasks	125	(1)
Postscripts	126	(1)
Appendix A: Needs Analysis	127	(9)
Defining need	127	(1)
Carrying out a need analysis	128	(1)
Methods and techniques for assessing need	128	(4)
Analysis of existing data	132	(2)
Putting it together	134	(2)
Appendix B: Efficiency (Cost and Benefit) Analysis	136	(5)
Costs	136	(1)
Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses	137	(1)
Measuring costs	137	(1)
People and time	138	(1)
Facilities and other physical resources	139	(1)
Other perspectives on costs	140	(1)
Appendix C: Code of Ethics	141	(3)
References and Author Index	144	(7)
Index	151