This article presents a plenary address wherein the author talks about cultural clashes, about what happens when evaluation meets politics. In her address, the author talks about the kinds of clashes that occur on a regular basis between evaluative independence and the political culture it challenges, along with possible ways to predict, parry, or…

Proposes a multifaceted approach to making evaluation a part of organizational culture. The approach includes using allies, examples, models, research, process guides, and trainers/developers. (SLD)

Whether there can be professional reasons for turning down an evaluation contract is explored. Considering how evaluations can promote either guild maintenance interests or societal improvement interests illuminates several dilemmas in the proper conduct of evaluation and suggests the need for greater explicit attention to what it means for the…

Describes key aspects of an integrative framework that may help evaluators move beyond paradigm wars and the segmentation of evaluation practices. Proposes a scheme for categorizing evaluation methods with four inquiry modes, or clusters of methods: description, classification, causal analysis, and values inquiry. (Author/SLD)

Shows how to bridge the gap between collaborative evaluations with extensive stakeholder participation and noncollaborative evaluations in which stakeholders do not participate to a great degree. Synthesizes research that shows that interaction with stakeholders helps enhance validity in noncollaborative evaluations. (SLD)

Discusses contemporary controversies in evaluation that are likely to be of continuing importance in the near future, Including: (1) the nature and role of substantive theory in evaluation; (2) the importance of advances in methods; and (3) the meaning of "success as a profession." Asserts the necessity of positioning evaluation as part of…

Provides perspective on the increasing involvement of young people in community evaluation research, identifies participation patterns and evaluation roles of young people, and draws conclusions from empirically based practice. (SLD)

A database of about 300 published evaluations is used to compare some of the lessons learned in recent practice to some of the traditional theoretical precepts of evaluation. Evaluation practice should recognize its sources in politics as it keeps its independence. Changes to help bring this about are recommended. (SLD)

Inclusive evaluation is intended to emphasize a participatory, collaborative approach to evaluation. This panel considered what inclusive evaluation approaches look like in current practice and how to implement these approaches in practice successfully. The importance of respecting stakeholders is emphasized. (SLD)

Describes the development of evaluation within the United States and traces the connections between evaluation and the documents that founded the United States. Analyzes the demands placed on evaluation by modern democracies and comments on the importance of the selection of evaluation indicators and the necessity of systematic evaluation. (SLD)

Suggests that it is not possible to discuss technical aspects of technique and measurement until social scientists have come to grips with the epistemological and biographical problematics of the social sciences and their uses, especially the traditional frameworks, including those of race, that hinder the ability to evaluate culturally and…