Overview

The most up-to-date version of the gold standard reference in conducting evaluations The newly revised fourth edition of The ABCs of Evaluation is an easy-to-read explanation of the concepts and methods of the evaluation process. The author explains what the process offers to people who go through it, how to conduct it properly, and how to draw on its conclusions to improve your workplace. The book also walks you through every step of the evaluation process, answering not just the theoretical question of “Why should we evaluate?” but demonstrating the nuts and bolts of an effective and illuminating evaluation. Author John Boulmetis presents evidence-based and useful strategies for conducting evaluations, transforming them from something seen by your people as something to “get around” or “get through”—or as something being done “to” them as opposed to “for” them—into an invaluable data gathering and processing tool for organizations of all types and sizes. Inside the book: A comprehensive guide to evaluation for program and project managers who are new to the discipline Time-tested and proven evaluation principles and techniques you can apply immediately within your own organization How to collect data, set standards, implement an evaluation plan, select an evaluation model, and more Perfect for managers, supervisors, team facilitators, and data analysts, The ABCs of Evaluation is a step-by-step playbook for conducting useful and effective evaluations in any industry and within organizations of any size.

Full Product Details

Author:   John Boulmetis (School of Education - The City College of New York;University of Rhode Island, RI) ,  Phyllius Dutwin (Dutwin Associates, RI)
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Edition:   4th edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.60cm
Weight:   0.386kg
ISBN:  

9781394296026

ISBN 10:   1394296029
Pages:   320
Publication Date:   30 July 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

List of Figures ix List of Tables and Exhibits xi Preface xiii The Authors xxi About the Companion Website xxiii 1 What Is Evaluation? 1 Common Denominators 3 Two Definitions of Evaluation 4 Evaluating Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Impact 5 Evaluating Alternatives 8 Identifying Areas to Improve 9 Other Levels 11 Formal Reasons to Evaluate 12 Practical Application 15 Formative and Summative Evaluations 16 Putting It All Together 16 Key Words and Concepts 22 Questions and Exercises 22 Further Reading 28 2 Why Evaluate? 29 Grants and Grantsmanship 31 Benefits 33 Limitations 36 Considerations 37 Putting It All Together 40 Key Words and Concepts 41 Questions and Exercise 41 Further Reading 46 3 Decision- Making: Whom to Involve, How, and Why? 47 Program and Project Cycles 49 Evaluation and Monitoring 52 Program Planning Cycle and Evaluation 59 Putting It All Together 63 Key Words and Concepts 65 Questions and Exercises 65 Further Reading 73 4 Starting Point: The Evaluator’s Program Description 75 What an Evaluator’s Program Description Can Do 77 Developing an Evaluator’s Program Description 79 Putting It All Together 83 Key Words and Concepts 85 Questions and Exercises 85 Further Reading 97 5 Choosing an Evaluation Model 99 More Than One Way to Evaluate 100 Four Evaluation Models 103 Other Models 110 Choosing the Right Model 112 Evaluation Design Format 113 Other Considerations 115 Putting It All Together 116 Key Words and Concepts 117 Questions and Exercise 117 Further Reading 119 6 Data Sources 121 Starting Point 122 Qualitative and Quantitative Data Sources 126 Four Levels of Data 127 Nature of Data Collection 129 Existing Data 130 Newly Collected Data 132 Putting It All Together 143 Key Words and Concepts 143 Questions and Exercise 143 Further Reading 146 7 Data Analysis 147 Data Analysis 148 Data 150 Terms 151 Levels of Data 157 Putting It All Together 163 Key Words and Concepts 164 Questions and Exercise 164 Further Reading 166 Software for Personal Computers 167 8 Is It Evaluation or Is It Research? 169 Determining Evaluation or Research from Intent 170 Determining Evaluation or Research from Design 172 Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics 174 Sampling 175 Sampling and Surveys 180 Putting It All Together 181 Key Words and Concepts 183 Questions and Exercise 183 Further Reading 184 9 Writing the Evaluation Report 185 Communicating Your Findings 187 Evaluation Reports 188 The Report Outline 189 Putting It All Together 201 Key Words and Concepts 202 Questions and Exercise 202 Further Reading 203 10 Evaluation as a Business 205 Is There a Market for Program Evaluation? 206 How Do You Find the Business? 213 Proactive Resources 215 Reactive Resources 217 Emergency Resources 218 How Do You Negotiate a Contract? 219 Keeping the Business Alive 223 Putting It All Together 225 Key Words and Concepts 226 Further Reading 227 A: More on Data Analysis 229 Analyses for Each Level 229 Significance Testing 233 Statistical and Practical Significance 237 B: Sample Evaluation Report 239 C: Sample Evaluation Contract 271 Evaluation of the XYZ Training Project 271 D: Sample Evaluator Job Description 277 Evaluator— MA, MEd, Education Technology and Instructional Design 277 Disclaimer 280 References 281 Index 285

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Author Information

John Boulmetis, PhD, is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Rhode Island School of Education. Dr. Boulmetis received his master’s degree in education from the University of Rhode Island and his doctoral degree in adult and vocational education from The Ohio State University. Since his retirement, he has consulted as an independent third-party evaluator on federal grants and contracts. Phyllis Dutwin, MA, was president of Dutwin Associates, a training and development firm, and former vice president of Reading and Educational Services of New Jersey. She received her master’s degree in adult education, training, and development from the University of Rhode Island.

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