Program theory evaluation, which has grown in use over the past 10 years, assesses whether a program is designed in such a way that it can achieve its intended outcomes. This article describes a particular type of program theory evaluation--logic analysis--that allows us to test the plausibility of a program's theory using scientific knowledge.…

Training is critical for the growth of the evaluation profession as more qualified and competent individuals will be required to meet the increased demand for evaluation. This paper deals with the training needs of professionals and is based on a part of a study on the status and challenges of educational program evaluation in the Asia-Pacific…

Collaborative Evaluation systematically invites and engages stakeholders in program evaluation planning and implementation. Unlike "distanced" evaluation approaches, which reject stakeholder participation as evaluation team members, Collaborative Evaluation assumes that active, on-going engagement between evaluators and program staff,…

Blending high-quality and rigorous research with pure evaluation practice can often be best accomplished through thoughtful collaboration. The evaluation of a high school drug prevention program (All Stars Senior) is an example of how perceived competing purposes and methodologies can coexist to investigate formative and summative outcome…

Independent evaluation of refugee-focused programs in developed nations is increasingly a mandatory requirement of funding bodies and government agencies. This paper presents an evaluation of the Integrated Services Centre (ISC) Pilot Project that was conducted in Australia in 2007 and early 2008. The purpose of the ISC program was to provide…

This paper details a semi-structured interview protocol that evaluators can use to develop a logic model of a program's services and outcomes. The protocol presents a series of questions, which evaluators can ask of specific program informants, that are designed to: (1) identify key informants basic background and contextual information, (2)…

As the number of large federal programs increases, so, too, does the need for a more complete understanding of how to conduct evaluations of such complex programs. The research literature has documented the benefits of stakeholder participation in smaller-scale program evaluations. However, given the scope and diversity of projects in multi-site…

In 2003 foster youth employed by a foster youth advocacy organization suggested that an evaluation of group home services to foster youth be conducted in Alameda County, California. This report presents the development and conduct of this evaluation study; how funding was obtained; and how foster youth were hired, trained, and employed to produce…

Barber reviews TM 503 787, saying that the authors have painted a rosy, optimistic view of the future for evaluators. Although he feels pessimistic about the actual probability of such events happening, he hopes that others will share this optimism. (Author/CTM)

Describes efforts to build a worldwide evaluation community, noting events that resulted in an almost 200% growth in the number of regional and national evaluation organizations in slightly more than 1 year. Profiles some national and regional evaluation organizations that participated in a recent evaluation meeting and suggests some alternative…

Molner favorably reviews Windle and Neigher's paper (TM 503 780) on ethical problems in program evaluation, but suggests that these problems are more political than ethical, and that ethical choices cannot be compromised whereas political choices can. (CTM)

Edelman's review of TM 503 787 is positive, but she adds that, more than ever, the future evaluator will have to be concerned with ethics and responsibility, have clear expectations of self, and be strongly committed to his or her goals. (Author/CTM)

The Evaluation Voices approach collaboratively united perspectives of program stakeholders, evaluators, and network partners to strengthen individual program evaluation strategies. This approach is described, with emphasis on the shared experience of evaluators and network partners. (SLD)

The importance of addressing the political dynamics inherent in any evaluation research process is discussed. The theoretical orientation contributing to the denial and avoidance of politics is articulated and contrasted with one which posits politics as normative and useful. (Author/LMO)

Evaluators vary in their propensity to make direct valuative judgments of program worth. The decision to include recommendations with a report or provide merely descriptive evaluation depends on individuals' perspectives concerning the nature of reality, truth and values, human agency, and informational utility. (SLD)