Focus groups have an established history in applied research and evaluation. The fundamental methods of the focus group technique have been well discussed, as have their potential advantages. Less guidance tends to be provided regarding the analysis of data resulting from focus groups or how to organize and defend conclusions drawn from the…

An introduction is provided to the use of confirmatory factor analysis to test measurement invariance and stability in longitudinal research. The approach is illustrated through examples representing one or two constructs in one to three measurement waves. Basic issues in establishing measurement invariance are discussed. (SLD)

This article promotes the use of contextual constructionism in evaluation research. The call for truth in sentencing in Tennessee (and across the country) is used to illustrate the conflict among stakeholders that arises from program evaluation and to show how their multiple realities make a contextual constructionist approach pertinent. (SLD)