Evaluation in Today’s World

1537 Pages·2021·12.059 MB·English

by  Thomas, Veronica G. & Campbell, Patricia B

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
Using evaluation in today’s world is ultimately about humanity’s future.
The stakes are huge. Evaluation use flows from quality. Quality in today’s
world requires diversity. Whether evaluation contributes to a more just,
equitable, and sustainable world will be determined by how—and how
well—evaluators and stakeholders together meet the challenge to
respect, promote, and improve quality, diversity, and use. Our collective
future rests on those foundational pillars. This book is an outstanding
contribution to the evaluation literature.
—Michael Quinn Patton, Utilization-Focused Evaluation
Finally! An evaluation textbook that not only provides information on the
mechanics of evaluation practice but also explicitly acknowledges the
role of structural racism and its influence on the field of evaluation. This
textbook is a timely addition to the evaluation literature, and serves as a
meaningful tool to examine and engage the intersections of evaluation,
social justice, and privilege.
—Jori N. Hall, University of Georgia
This is the evaluation text I’ve been waiting for! It weaves together a
comprehensive, inclusive history of the evaluation field with issues that
face new and experienced practicing evaluators every day. It also brings
to the fore topics not covered in other evaluation texts, such as
evaluation ethics in practice, the hidden figures and influential women in
evaluation, important epistemological shifts in the field, and the
intersection of social justice and social programming. This will be a
critical resource for all who want to make a difference through high
quality evaluation practice.
—Leslie Goodyear, Education Development Center
Very rarely are issues related to race, class, and power discussed so
eloquently and effectively within an evaluation text.
—John Ridings, The Institute for Clinical Social Work
Thomas and Campbell have taken topics that are often only alluded to in
program evaluation texts and brought them to the forefront, highlighting
the importance of understanding the diversity of society when developing
effective evaluations.
—Marcus-Antonio Galeste, Arizona State University
This is a much-needed, useful, and relevant text that bridges the
evaluation process and methods with our cultural, historical, and political
climate. It integrates diverse activities, methods, and applications that will
help prepare students to become successful future practitioners and
evaluators.
—Karen Tinsley, Guilford College
This text covers the salient features of research and evaluation in clear
language and includes the often-overlooked impact of cultural awareness
and understanding throughout the research process. In an increasingly
multicultural and complex society, the authors have created a resource to
help budding researchers evaluate their goals, needs, and biases as they
enter this fascinating field.
—Brenda S. Gerhardt, University of Dayton
This is the most comprehensive text on evaluation that I have seen. The
section on ethics challenges students to reflect on their own beliefs and
values, and how those might cause bias in evaluation.
—Sandra Handwerk, Albany State University
This text provides a strong voice to support the inclusion of social justice
issues in evaluation planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
—Debra J. Dirksen, Western New Mexico University
Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the
dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community.
SAGE publishes more than 1000 journals and over 800 new books each
year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. Our growing selection of
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Los Angeles | London | New Delhi | Singapore | Washington DC |
Melbourne
EVALUATION IN TODAY’S WORLD
In loving memory of my mother (Julia Myers Thomas) and father
(Herman Thomas Sr.), who were, in their own quiet and unique
ways, my first examples of civil rights warriors and activists for
fairness and social justice.
—Veronica G. Thomas
To Jesse J. Campbell-Mortman, who at 10 is a fighter for
fairness and justice.
—Patricia B. Campbell
EVALUATION IN TODAY’S WORLD
Respecting Diversity, Improving Quality, and
Promoting Usability
Veronica G. Thomas
Howard University
Patricia B. Campbell
Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc.
Copyright © 2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted by U.S. copyright law, no part of
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Thomas, Veronica G., author. | Campbell, Patricia B., author.
Title: Evaluation in today’s world : respecting diversity, improving quality, and promoting usability /
Veronica G. Thomas, Howard University, Patricia B. Campbell, Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc.
Description: Los Angeles : SAGE, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020026040 | ISBN 9781544348162 (paperback) | ISBN 9781544348186
(epub) | ISBN 9781544348193 (epub) | ISBN 9781544348179 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Evaluation research (Social action programs)
Classification: LCC H62 .T4475 2021 | DDC 001.4—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020026040
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BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Evaluations of Future: Inclusive, Equity-Focused, Useful,
and Used
Chapter 2 Evaluation Ethics and Quality Standards
Chapter 3 Historical Evolution of Program Evaluation Through a
Social Justice Lens
Chapter 4 Evaluation Paradigms, Theories, and Models
Chapter 5 Social Justice and Evaluation: Theories, Challenges,
Frameworks, and Paradigms
Chapter 6 Evaluation Types With a Cultural and Racial Equity Lens
Chapter 7 Social Programming, Social Justice, and Evaluation
Chapter 8 Responsive Stakeholder Engagement and
Democratization of the Evaluation Process
Chapter 9 Planning the Evaluation
Chapter 10 Evaluation Questions That Matter
Chapter 11 Selecting Appropriate Evaluation Designs
Chapter 12 Defining, Collecting, and Managing Data
Chapter 13 The Best Analysis for the Data
Chapter 14 Reporting, Disseminating, and Utilizing Evaluation
Results
Chapter 15 Evaluation as a Business
Chapter 16 Interconnections and Practical Implications
Appendix A
Appendix B
Glossary
References
Index