This accessible introductory text on program evaluation has a sound theoretical base, many practical examples, and case studies. The book is divided into four parts.
Part 1 provides an overview of the field of evaluation today, explains how evaluators think, how evaluation fits into the world of science, and how program logic, including theories of change and logic models, provides the links between cause and effect.
Part 2 looks at the program life cycle and explains the uses of evaluation in early program development, during program implementation, and at the end of a program's timeframe, when outcomes and impacts are so essential for program decision making.
Part 3 offers a quick summary of evaluation methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed. A chapter is devoted to each of these. Terms and processes are clearly explained, and evaluation examples are provided.
Part 4 explores the important topic of evaluation communication. It provides an example of the components of an evaluation plan and offers many practical examples of communication processes both during and after an evaluation. The final chapter considers the complex context in which evaluation occurs today and suggests ways to think about how evaluation interacts with global, environmental, and identity concerns.
Each chapter has useful features that enhance learning:
- An engaging chapter opener - A mind maps for visual learners - Classic frameworks and new approaches and examples - Evaluation case studies with an equity focus written by practitioners - Appealing graphics and useful tables - A brief closing interview with an evaluation expert - Student Challenges, Critical Thinking Questions, and Additional Readings and Resources
Barrington, Gail V.: -
Gail Vallance Barrington is a Credentialed Evaluator (CE) and a certified teacher. During her 35 years as owner and manager of an independent consulting company, she completed over 130 evaluation studies, mainly in education, health, and research. She has authored articles, book chapters, and the popular book, Consulting Start-up and Management: A Guide for Evaluators and Applied Researchers (SAGE, 2012). She has served on the boards of both the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES). Awards include the CES Contribution to Evaluation in Canada Award (2008) and the AEA Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Award for Evaluation Practice (2016). She is a Fellow of the Canadian Evaluation Society (2018) and the Certified Management Consultants of Canada (2014). She holds degrees from McGill University (BA), Carleton University (MA) and the University of Alberta (PhD in Educational Administration). She teaches research and evaluation skills online for Michigan State University and the University of Alberta.
For more information see www.barringtonresearchgrp.com.
Triana-Tremain, Beverly F.: - "
Beverly Triana-Tremain has at least 35 years of public health teaching and consulting experience. Her areas of expertise are public health, evaluation, and quality improvement. Currently, she serves as Epidemiologist with the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC), she supports the preventionist workforce in changing community risk factors for substance misuse and mental health disorders. She received her Bachelor of Science at Texas A & M University - Commerce, a Master of Science at Texas Woman's University in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. She received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Health Studies also at Texas Woman's University. She holds a certification in Lean Six Sigma as a Green Belt and is a fellow in the National Public Health Leadership Institute. In 2006, she established Public Health Consulting, LLC to assist agencies in improving the public health system
For more information see www.publichealthconsulting.net.
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