Overview

A nuts-and-bolts introduction to program evaluation for the nonprofit and public sectors Evaluation Essentials: Methods for Conducting Sound Research, 2nd Edition, is a substantial update to the popular overview of the evaluation process. Virtually every form of externally funded nonprofit activity must be periodically evaluated, and trained evaluators are in higher demand than ever before. This book offers a step-by-step introduction to the process and methods of program evaluation, with over 40 examples from public policy, public health, non-profit management, social work, arts management, education, international assistance, and labor. Evaluation Essentials covers updates in the field of evaluation, including contribution analyses, as well as current best practices for forming evaluation questions, applying program theory, performing literature reviews, collecting data, creating outcome measures, designing and conducting surveys, grant writing, and much more. This Second Edition also includes an expanded international context, examining evaluation in international organizations. The process outlined in this book is also applicable to policy evaluation and the evaluation of organizational performance, adding additional value to this timely update. Gain a foundational knowledge of the principles and practices of program evaluation Design evaluations and conduct research, including quantitative and qualitative analysis Generate data that can be used to demonstrate a program's impact to funders and stakeholders Learn from examples drawn from a broad range of nonprofit organizations This definitive guide to evaluation will appeal to professionals in fields as diverse as education, policy sciences, public administration, sociology, health, and beyond.

Full Product Details

Author:   Beth Osborne DaPonte (Yale University)
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   Sybex Inc.,U.S.
Edition:   2nd edition
Dimensions:   Width: 18.50cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 23.10cm
Weight:   0.295kg
ISBN:  

9781394234783

ISBN 10:   1394234783
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   24 April 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Preface ix Acknowledgments x One: Introduction 1 Learning Objectives 1 Introduction 2 Size and Importance of Nonprofit Sector 3 The Evaluation Framework 5 Structure of Book 9 Summary 9 Key Terms 10 Discussion Questions 10 Two: Describing the Initiative 11 Learning Objectives 11 Introduction 12 Reasons to Rigorously Describe the Program 13 The Logistics of Describing the Program 14 Common Mistakes Made Describing Initiative and Programs 16 The Program Is Alive and So Is Its Description 18 Theory of Change 19 The Program Logic Model 25 Analyzing the Program Logic Model 34 Challenges of Multisite Programs 35 Program Implementation Model 36 Examples of Program Descriptions 37 Summary 67 Key Terms 68 Discussion Questions 68 Three: Laying the Evaluation Ground Work 69 Learning Objectives 69 Evaluation Approaches 70 Framing Evaluation Questions 72 Insincere Reasons for Evaluation 75 High Stakes Evaluation 75 Who Will do the Evaluation? 76 External Evaluators 77 Internal Evaluators 79 Independence of the Evaluator 79 External Versus Internal Evaluators 80 Confidentiality and Ownership of Evaluations 81 Endorsement and Action on Recommendations 82 Evaluation Policy 83 The Evaluation Report 84 Summary 86 Key Terms 86 Discussion Questions 86 Four: Causation 87 Learning Objectives 87 Introduction 88 Necessary and Sufficient 88 Setting Cutoff Points and Causal Interpretation 91 Intervening Variables 95 Types of Causal Effects 97 Lagged Effects 98 Permanency of Effects 98 Functional Form of Impact 99 Spectacular Causes and Effects 100 Summary 101 Key Terms 102 Discussion Questions 102 Five: the Prisms of Validity 103 Learning Objectives 103 Introduction 104 Statistical Conclusion Validity 105 Types of Erroneous Conclusions: Type 1 and Type 2 Errors 106 Threats to Statistical Conclusion Validity 107 Internal Validity 111 Threats to Internal Validity 111 Summary 118 Construct Validity 119 Threats to Construct Validity 120 Summary 122 External Validity 122 Considerations for Determining the External Validity of Studies 122 Summary 123 Conclusions 124 Key Terms 124 Discussion Questions 124 Six: Attributing Outcomes to the Program: Quasi- Experimental Design 126 Learning Objectives 126 Introduction 127 Quasi- Experimental Notation 127 Frequently used Designs that do not Show Causation 128 One- Group Posttest- Only 128 Posttest- Only with Nonequivalent Groups 129 Participants’ Pretest– Posttest 130 Designs that Generally Permit Causal Inferences 131 Untreated Control Group Design with Pretest and Posttest 131 Delayed Treatment Control Group 137 Different Samples from the Same Populations Design 140 Nonequivalent Observations Drawn from One Group 141 Equivalent Groups Using Switched Measures 142 Cohort Designs 144 Time Series Designs 146 Summary 148 Key Terms 149 Discussion Questions 149 Seven: Collecting Data 150 Learning Objectives 150 Introduction 151 Informal and Loosely Structured Interviews 152 Focus Groups 154 Surveys 160 Survey Instrument Design 161 Target Populations and Sampling 169 Informal Sampling Approaches 170 Formal Sampling Approaches 171 Best Practices in Administering Surveys to a Purposive Sample 172 Follow- up for Nonresponse 173 Secondary Data Sources 173 Summary 174 Key Terms 174 Discussion Questions 175 Eight: Conclusions 176 Learning Objectives 176 Using Evaluation Tools to Write Grant Proposals 177 Hiring Evaluation Consultants 177 Writing Recommendations 180 The Tone of Evaluation Reports 180 Finalization Process of Evaluation Reports 181 Conclusions 182 Discussion Questions 182 Glossary 183 Index 188

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Author Information

Beth Osborne DaPonte, Ph.D. has taught program evaluation at the graduate level at Yale University’s School of Management, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Beth is Principal and Owner of Social Science Consultants, LLC, a firm that provides consulting and advisory services to the non-profit/NGO, religious, governmental, and international sectors. Clients have included the United Nations (secretariat and UN-System funds, programs, and agencies); foundations (e.g., Forbes Funds, Heinz Endowments, Hillman Family Foundations); educational institutions (e.g., University of Pittsburgh); and US-based nonprofits (e.g., Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Allies for Children).

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