Evaluating Social Programs and Problems

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 Problems presents 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 Problems is 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.

Stewart I. Donaldson, Michael Scriven

Contents: S.I. Donaldson, M. Scriven, Preface. Part I: Introduction.S.I. Donaldson, M. Scriven, Diverse Visions for Evaluation in the New Millennium: Should We Integrate or Embrace Diversity? Part II: Visions for Evaluating Social Programs and Problems.M. Scriven, Evaluation in the New Millennium: The Transdisciplinary Vision. J.S. Wholey, Improving Performance and Accountability: Responding to Emerging Management Challenges. D. Fetterman, Empowerment Evaluation Strikes a Responsive Cord. Y.S. Lincoln, Fourth Generation Evaluation in the New Millennium. D.M. Mertens, The Inclusive View of Evaluation: Visions for the New Millennium. S.I. Donaldson, Theory-Driven Program Evaluation in the New Millennium. Part III: Reactions & Alternative Visions.W.D. Crano, Theory-Driven Evaluation and Construct Validity. E.P. Thomas, Evaluating Social Programs and Problems: A Discussant's View. B.L. Guzmán, Examining the Role of Cultural Competency in Program Evaluation: Visions for New Millennium Evaluators. M.M. Mark, Toward an Integrative View of the Theory and Practice of Program and Policy Evaluation.