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The Handbook contains a gold mine of articles by leading scholars on what has come to be known as the third methodological movement in social research. Aimed at surveying the differing viewpoints and disciplinary approaches of mixed methods, this breakthrough book examines mixed methods from the research enterprise to paradigmatic issues to application. The book also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of mixed methods designs, and provides an array of specific examples in a variety of disciplines, from psychology to nursing. The book closes with a brief section on how to teach and perform collaborative research using a mixed methods research design. Written so that it can be used either as a pedagogical tool or as a reference for researchers, the book is rich in examples and includes a glossary, easy-to-follow diagrams, and tables to help readers become more familiar with the language and controversies in this evolving area.
This issue of New Directions for Evaluation focuses on evaluation in complex organizations. The themes that are examined?the mainstreaming of evaluation within organizations, the growth of evaluation capacity, and the use of evaluation to promote organizational learning?are relevant for evaluators who operate in environments marked by multiple organizational levels, varied funding streams, divergent purposes for evaluative information, and numerous stakeholders and organizational partners. The national Cooperative Extension System serves as a recurring case study that links the topics together. Cooperative Extension is a system of institutions that includes every state's land-grant universit...
Evaluation examines policies and programs across every arena of human endeavor, from efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS to programs that drive national science policy. Relying on a vast array of methods, from qualitative interviewing to econometrics, it is a "transdiscipline," as opposed to a formal area of academic study. Accounting for these challenges, Evaluation Foundations Revisited offers an introduction for those seeking to better understand evaluation as a professional field. While the acquisition of methods and methodologies to meet the needs of certain projects is important, the foundation of evaluative practice rests on understanding complex issues to balance. Evaluation Found...
Quality assurance is necessary to maintain quality and services in the pharmaceutical and life science industries. Quality assurance demonstrates that the logic and practice of problem solving can integrate both program efficacy and regulatory compliance. This title is divided into three parts; the first part discusses the process by which a problem in regulated industry is identified, for example a manufacturing deviation that leads to an adulterated drug product, and reviews the decision-making steps involved in remedying the problem. The second part delves into the staff training requirements of procedures that are thereby revised. The third part expands on this discussion by considering piloting the proposed training module, preparing assessments of trainee proficiency, evaluating the training module, including integrating rigorous evaluative designs with formative program improvement, and documenting the entire effort. - Presents a comprehensive view of the field of quality assurance - An approach grounded in direct experience - Uses diagrams and figures to clarify analytical points
Practitioners give insights on building and satisfying demand for evaluation in developing countries and on the use of evaluation findings to improve decision making on development policies and programs." "This volume offers useful insights into methods for evaluating the effectiveness of development and assessing the performance of development aid and aid agencies."--BOOK JACKET.
Everything you ever wanted to know about growing grapes New Directions for Evaluation: The Mainstreaming of Evaluation is a journal published by the American Evaluation Association to promote the exchange of ideas and the advancement of the field. Featuring the latest research and developments from researchers and practitioners around the world, this book provides insight to inform ongoing work and inform future research. The discussion delves into a diverse array of topics relevant to a broad variety of applications, sacrificing neither depth nor breadth while providing an engaging update on the state of the field today.
Solving complex evaluation environments with competing stakeholder needs Responding to Sponsors and Stakeholders in Complex Evaluation Environments: New Directions for Evaluation, Number 95 provides in-depth guidance on answering the question: "For whom are we doing this evaluation, anyway?". The answer may be more complex that it appears, and right and wrong answers may actually overlap. This book identifies the challenges of complex evaluation environments, and shows you how to meet the multiple — often competing — needs of everyone involved. From difficulties in context and authorization to initiatives and legislation, this book provides insight every evaluation organization needs.
This volume presents the Talent Development evaluation framework, an approach for evaluating urban school reform interventions deeply embedded in the work of the Howard University Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed At Risk (CRESPAR) and the Talent Development Model of School Reform. The CRESPAR Talent Development (TD) evaluation approach is rooted in several traditions of evaluation that intentionally seek engagement with contexts of practice. These traditions include responsive, participatory, empowerment, and culturally competent approaches to evaluation. The CRESPAR TD evaluation approach also takes up themes of inclusiveness and partnership advanced by the recent pro...
This volume focuses on culturally competent evaluation. The chapters address a number of questions: How does culture matter in evaluation theory and practice? How does attention to cultural issues make for better evaluation practice? How does attention to cultural issues make for better evaluation practice? What is the "value-addedness" of cultural competence in evaluation? How do the complexities, challenges, and politics of diversity issue affect evaluation? The first chapter is an overview of culture, cultural competence, and culturally competent evaluation; the other chapters provide case studies on the implementation of culturally competent evaluation in a variety of settings and with several populations. The volume contributors also present lessons learned from their experiences and recommendations for implementing cultural competent evaluations in general. This volume is part of an important discussion of race, culture, and diversity in evaluation striving to shape and advance culturally competent evaluation, and, in tandem, evaluation of culturally competent services. This is the 102nd issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Evaluation.