In "Utilization Focused Evaluation" (1997), Patton introduced the term "process use" to describe changes in thinking and behavior, whether at the individual, program, or organizational level, as a result of one's participation in an evaluation, irrespective of the evaluation results. In conversations with stakeholders, Patton found that although…

This article discusses how to make process use an independent variable in evaluation practice: the purposeful means of building an organization's capacity to conduct and use evaluations in the long run. The goal of evaluation capacity building (ECB) is to strengthen and sustain effective program evaluation practices through a number of activities:…

Extension and evaluation share some similar challenges, including working with diverse stakeholders, parallel processes for focusing priorities, meeting common standards of excellence, and adapting to globalization, new technologies, and changing times. Evaluations of extension programs have helped clarify how change occurs, especially the…

In 1996, United Way of America (UWA) developed and began disseminating the most widely used approach to program outcome measurement in the nonprofit sector. Today an estimated 450 local United Ways encourage approximately 19,000 local agencies they fund to measure outcomes. The authors first describe and then assess the strengths and limitations…

Research regarding the optimal fielding of online surveys is in its infancy and just beginning to offer clear suggestions for effective recruiting of participants as well as techniques for maximizing the response rate. In this article, the authors discuss the process of recruiting participants by e-mailing invitations to a list of recipients…

Three primary stances on the wisdom of mixing evaluation models while mixing evaluation methods frame the challenges to defensible mixed-method evaluative inquiry. These challenges are addressed by shifting the mixed-method controversy from models toward other critical features of disparate traditions of inquiry. (Author/SLD)

The seven articles in this issue represent an approach to multisite evaluation that has much in common with the tradition of clinical trials. However, this approach shares with cluster evaluation an appreciation for the adjustments that are necessary to reflect the realities of conducting evaluation research in actual service settings. (Author/SLD)

Offers a vision of responsiveness as the political inclusion of marginalized human service providers and end users through one evaluator's critical and sustained efforts to enact this vision in practice. Discusses difficulties in the active inclusion of the critical reference group, usually service users, in evaluation. (SLD)

Outlines the major challenges associated with conducting program evaluation in today's system of multilevel stakeholders and offers recommendations derived from the experiences of conducting a program evaluation in which several stakeholders were intrinsically involved in the evaluation process and the results. (SLD)

Identifies five themes that illustrate different aspects of the process of diffusing democratic deliberation into more widespread use: (1) appreciation; (2) addition; (3) apprehension; (4) application; and (5) adaptation. These themes give guidance concerning evaluation practice and the role of evaluation in society. (Author/SLD)

Presents an integrated theory of evaluation influence that is broader than previous constructs of use and includes the dimensions of source, intention, and time. The resulting framework addresses process-based use and results-based use; intended and unintended use; and episodic and instrumental use. (SLD)

Describes the development of program theory evaluation and the various versions of program theory evaluation currently in use. Discusses some of the differences between theory and evaluation practice. Program theory evaluation consists of an explicit theory or model of how a program causes outcomes and an evaluation that is at least partially…

Provides guidance about which links in program theory to study and which theories to use. In choosing the links to study, the first criterion is to choose the links that are most critical to the success of the program. The second criterion is the degree of uncertainty about the linkage. (SLD)

Discusses the potential that program theory evaluation has to provide knowledge about the parts of a program that should be retained and the parts that can be changed or should be abandoned. Considers why program theory evaluation may be able to give some guidance about how a program should be changed to function in a new and different…

Summarizes interesting aspects of the preceding chapters and the issues and concerns raised related to program theory evaluation. Suggests that evaluators may be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to shore up weak programs through the introduction of program theory evaluation, asserting that the development of strong program theory should…