Foundations Of Program Evaluation : Theories Of Practice - 91 edition

Shadish, William R. : The University of Memphis

Cook, Thomas D. : Northwestern University

Leviton, Laura C. : University of Alabama at Birmingham

''The concluding summary chapter should be compulsory reading for all who intend undertaking evaluation research. The book includes a large bibliography and few professional evaluators are unlikely not to want this book on their bookshelves even though publishers' lists are overflowing with books on evaluation. The value of this volume is its focus on theory rather than the methods of evaluation.

By critically reviewing within the context of these five components [practice, knowledge, value, use and social programming] the seven key evaluators of the last 25 years, the authors offer a profound contribution to evaluation theory and practice. . . . Key concepts used by the seven theories are, however, set out at the beginning of their chapters and this helps the reader to develop a familiarity with the language of evaluation.

. . . for nurses with a behavioral or social science background it will become an indispensable work to consult. . . . the book highlights a number of issues which might help explain some of the problems associated with the practice of biomedical and bionursing evaluation research.''

--International Journal of Nursing Studies

''This is the first sustained and serious analysis of the work of evaluation theorists, and is done from a novel and enlightening point of view by extremely competent evaluators. It is an indispensable basis for understanding this most complex and subtle of disciplines.''

--Michael Scriven, Director, Evaluation Institute, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology

''This book provides a careful and incisive analysis of the major contributions to the field of program evaluation. Both students and professionals will find it an invaluable source of information.''

--Leonard Bickman, Vanderbilt University

''This book will make evaluators proud. It describes clearly and with references to senior evaluators, the philosophical bases of evaluators' practice, and the choices that all evaluators make, implicitly or explicitly. . . . The authors' analytic framework consists of 'five fundamental issues that undergird practical program evaluation: (1) social programming . . . (2) knowledge construction . . . (3) valuing . . . (4) knowledge use . . . (5) evaluation practice.' . . . The description of these theoretical ases of program evaluation is an excellent, clear presentation, made concrete by examples from major evaluators, past evaluations and types of evaluation methods. . . .This is the most instructive book on program evaluation that I've read. It is even exciting, if one is interested in philosophical issues. I vote it the best single book to take to the hypothetical deserted island to become educated about program evaluation.''

--Charles Windle, National Institute of Mental Health, in a prepublication review for Community Psychologist

''An ambitious, impressive volume that contains the most advanced, comprehensive discussion of program evaluation theory currently available. . . . A unique, important volume that makes a major contribution to our understanding of evaluation theory. . . . Overall, this is an impressive book that outdates a number of prior publications. We highly recommend this volume, continuing to find that repeated readings bring additional understanding and insight.''

--a prepublication review for Evaluation and Program Planning

''This is an excellent work, one that deserves wide reading. The authors have taken on the huge task of clearly explicating the views on evaluation held by a diverse set of seven seminal thinkers and practitioners. But William R. Shadish Jr., Thomas D. Cook and Laura C. Leviton have done much more than simply present the views of pioneer evaluation thinkers. By providing a set of core constructs around which the analysis of these thinkers can be presented and engaging in a comparative assessment of the theorists in relation to the work of each other, the book makes a substantial contribution to program evaluation theory construction. This book should be of considerable interest and use in graduate programs of program evaluation and should be required reading for practitioners.''

--Canadian Public Administration

''The book makes an impressive contribution to the field. This is the first book that provides a comprehensive assessment of evaluation theories. The discussions not only provide insightful analysis of the state of the art but also suggest ideas and ways for improving evaluation practice. . . . The authors should also get credit for carefully tracing the historical development of program evaluation. Furthermore, the book helps alleviate the imbalance in current evaluation books. . . . By contrasting theorists' different arguments and views on various issues, this book can strengthen evaluators' sensitivity to political and organizational aspects of evaluation. Without doubt, this book will be a milestone in the development of program evaluation.''

--Contemporary Sociology

''A useful coverage of the present state of knowledge concerning Programme Evaluation and its concepts, principals and issues. The authors' review of accumalted experience to date and their summary, comparison and contrasting of the work of seven major theorists and the areas of agreement and disagreement shows how far we have come, giving pointers for improvement to students, practitioners and policy makers. . . . The authors show that there is much to learn from fields other than one's own.''

--Journal of the Institute of Health Education

''Shadish, Cook, and Leviton do indeed succeed in informing and in provoking thought. As both a ready reference tool and as provocation to research and debate, no one interested in the history or theory of evaluation, nor any member of evaluation's 'disputatious community of truth-seekers' (Donald T. Campbell, as cited on p. 120) can afford to ignore this volume.''

--Evaluation Practice

Sage Publications Incorporated Web Site, September, 2000

I. Introduction

1. Social Program Evaluation: Its History, Tasks, and Theory
2. Good Theory for Social Program Evaluation

II. Stage One Theories: Bringing Truth to Social Problem Solving

3. Michael S. Scriven: The Science of Valuing
4. Donald T. Campbell: Methodologist of the Experimenting Society

III. Stage Two Theories: Generating Alternatives Emphasizing Use and Pragmatism

5. Carol H. Weiss: Linking Evaluation to Policy Research
6. Joseph S. Wholey: Evaluation for Program Improvement
7. Robert E. Stake: Responsive Evaluation and Qualitative Methods

IV. Stage Three Theories: Trying to Integrate the Past

8. Lee J. Cronbach: Functional Evaluation Design for a World of Political Accommodation
9. Peter H. Rossi: Comprehensive, Tailored, Theory-Driven Evaluations--A Smorgasbord of Options

V. Conclusions

10. Summary and Implications for Evaluation Theory and Practice

References
Indexes