For the practitioner, these purposes help define the approach and methods for an evaluation. The authors also enrich their discussion with four possible modes of inquiry: description, classification, causal analysis, and values inquiry. Filled with tables, charts, and figures, this resource invites organizations to make the most appropriate programming decisions based on thoughtful and systematic methods. Evaluation: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Guiding, and Improving Policies and Programs is a tool that scholars can use to rejuvenate their view of evaluation and that practitioners can use to integrate the best techniques with a contemporary understanding of social policy and change.

Customer Reviews:

A Primer for sorting out conceptual muddles in the field.......2004-01-22

Beginning with a core definition of evaluation as assisted sense-making whose ultimate objective is social betterment, the authors distinguish four purposes of evaluation: (1) assessment of merit and worth (2) program and organizational improvement, (3) oversight and compliance, and (4) knowledge development. Conceptual clarity over purpose(s) helps avoid muddles encountered in everyday arenas of evaluation and is directly pertinent to modes of inquiry appropriate to those purposes. In the second section of the book the authors distinguish four types of evaluative inquiry and discuss how to plan corresponding evaluative methods appropriate to the purpose(s) at hand. With a view toward conceptual coherence, they spend a chapter grounding their conception of evaluation as assisted sense-making in a philosophy of common sense realism. The third and final section of the book then considers closely, uses and challenges for each of these four modes of evaluative inquiry and devotes one chapter to each: (1) "Description," (2) "Classification," (3) "Causal Analysis," and (4) "Values Inquiry." In so doing, the authors contribute toward enhanced clarity in the "evaluation jungle" at significant levels of analysis and deliver what they promise in simple common sense language: an integrated framework for understanding, guiding, and improving public and nonprofit policies and programs.

My only reservation is related to what in content is also a strength. Rich in academic references, with an adaptation in format, these references could have better been placed in endnotes rather than parentheses. This would have facilitated reading flow. The decision to keep a format that is probably more useful in journals than books accounts for a one star deduction and four star rating.

A solid well-grounded theoretical analysis that will help those engaged in policy/program evaluation sort out a lot of muddles ahead of time rather than unnecessarily being caught in the mire. Another indication that, while good theory will never get as far as accounting for all the exigencies in a complex world, good theory is helpful in avoiding unnecessary confusions and many commonplace and wholly predictable errors in advance. Highly recommended.

Aimed at both practitioners and academics.......2003-08-23

Part one examines why one would want to do an evaluation in the first place. The authors purport that evaluation is a fundamental part of the democratic process because it is crucial in informing policy and decision makers about the effectiveness of public policy and programs. The book reviews the four purposes of evaluation (assessment of merit and worth, program and organizational improvement, oversight and compliance, and knowledge development) and introduces the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). The authors provide extensive coverage and a critique of the academic debates concerning purposes, modes and methodology. This leads to the proposal of a realistic philosophy, which aims to move beyond traditional paradigm silos. The authors argue that by focusing on the ultimate goal of social betterment and by seeking to surface underlying values, it is possible to follow a path that tailors methodology to intended purpose.

Part two covers evaluation planning and begins the practical application part of the book. Different evaluation purposes become paramount and are more aptly suited, depending on the environment (stable, competitive, shifts in funding or new policy/program). Choosing appropriate methodology and evaluation extensiveness (i.e. quality) is aided by an understanding of primary and secondary evaluation purposes; the book provides decision-making matrices as well as many examples and references. The authors expand on their notion of a `common-sense realistic' philosophy and provide an extensive overview of the supporting principles. It is a philosophy underlined by the notion of evaluation as `assisted sensemaking' that aims to build upon and extend natural human perceptual processes. In practice, it is flexible, antiformalist and rejects the fact-value and qualitative-quantitative dichotomies. In short, it aims to do what works in a given situation and contributes the most to social betterment.

Part three provides extensive detail on the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). Each chapter provides a complete overview: detailed arguments about how the selected mode can be used to support the four evaluation purposes, examples of specific evaluation methodology, interactions, notable caveats and pitfalls and an overview of critical opinion. The sections on classification and causal analysis are especially extensive, full of detailed methodology and references to external sources. The authors expand on the notion of how values inquiry can be critical in a complementary role with other modes.

The authors conclude with a statement that the field of evaluation is "...moving towards yet another rite of passage." They argue that evaluators need "...to take their proper place in the policy community" and they must become "...shameless in broadly spreading their findings...." They make a final argument in support of their realistic philosophy.

The book is often dense with citations, making for difficult reading at times. In places, especially in part one, the level of detail is far beyond that needed by the average practitioner. However, this would seem to suit the academic audience, who would find the sections devoted to methodology (aimed at practitioners) unnecessary. It seems a happy compromise. Name and subject indexes facilitate use of the book as a reference text. A thorough bibliography points the reader to external sources. It is a text thoroughly worth the attention of anyone interested in the field of evaluation.

Aimed at both practitioners and academics.......2003-08-23

Part one examines why one would want to do an evaluation in the first place. The authors purport that evaluation is a fundamental part of the democratic process because it is crucial in informing policy and decision makers about the effectiveness of public policy and programs. The book reviews the four purposes of evaluation (assessment of merit and worth, program and organizational improvement, oversight and compliance, and knowledge development) and introduces the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). The authors provide extensive coverage and a critique of the academic debates concerning purposes, modes and methodology. This leads to the proposal of a realistic philosophy, which aims to move beyond traditional paradigm silos. The authors argue that by focusing on the ultimate goal of social betterment and by seeking to surface underlying values, it is possible to follow a path that tailors methodology to intended purpose.

Part two covers evaluation planning and begins the practical application part of the book. Different evaluation purposes become paramount and are more aptly suited, depending on the environment (stable, competitive, shifts in funding or new policy/program). Choosing appropriate methodology and evaluation extensiveness (i.e. quality) is aided by an understanding of primary and secondary evaluation purposes; the book provides decision-making matrices as well as many examples and references. The authors expand on their notion of a `common-sense realistic' philosophy and provide an extensive overview of the supporting principles. It is a philosophy underlined by the notion of evaluation as `assisted sensemaking' that aims to build upon and extend natural human perceptual processes. In practice, it is flexible, antiformalist and rejects the fact-value and qualitative-quantitative dichotomies. In short, it aims to do what works in a given situation and contributes the most to social betterment.

Part three provides extensive detail on the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). Each chapter provides a complete overview: detailed arguments about how the selected mode can be used to support the four evaluation purposes, examples of specific evaluation methodology, interactions, notable caveats and pitfalls and an overview of critical opinion. The sections on classification and causal analysis are especially extensive, full of detailed methodology and references to external sources. The authors expand on the notion of how values inquiry can be critical in a complementary role with other modes.

The authors conclude with a statement that the field of evaluation is "...moving towards yet another rite of passage." They argue that evaluators need "...to take their proper place in the policy community" and they must become "...shameless in broadly spreading their findings...." They make a final argument in support of their realistic philosophy.

The book is often dense with citations, making for difficult reading at times. In places, especially in part one, the level of detail is far beyond that needed by the average practitioner. However, this would seem to suit the academic audience, who would find the sections devoted to methodology (aimed at practitioners) unnecessary. It seems a happy compromise. Name and subject indexes facilitate use of the book as a reference text. A thorough bibliography points the reader to external sources. It is a text thoroughly worth the attention of anyone interested in the field of evaluation.

Average customer rating: Excellent Guide

The Volunteer Management Handbook Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Volunteer Work | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Human Resources & Personnel Management | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Nonprofit Organizations & Charities | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Social Services & Welfare | Poverty | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Similar Items: Leading Volunteers for Results: Building Communities Today From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Volunteer Program Success The Volunteer Recruitment (and Membership Development) Book Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series) ASIN: 0471371424

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The VolunteerManagement Handbook

Drawing on the experience and expertise of recognized authorities on nonprofit organizations, The Volunteer Management Handbook offers the nonprofit manager a complete guide to establishing and maintaining an active and effective volunteer program. In one handy reference volume, the Handbook offers practical guidance on such essential issues as:

• Motivating people to volunteer their time and services
• Developing a detailed Volunteer Management Policy Manual
• Recruitment, orientation, and retention
• Training volunteers
• Recognition and reward systems for volunteers
• Volunteers and the law: liabilities, immunities, and responsibilities

Designed for all nonprofit and fund-raising professionals as well as volunteer leaders, The Volunteer Management Handbook is an indispensable reference that is unsurpassed in both the breadth and depth of its coverage.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Guide.......2007-02-03

Average customer rating: Easy Reading

Life and Health Insurance Law , Loma Edition Muriel L Crawford Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Health | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Life | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Administrative Law | Law | Subjects | Books General | Law | Subjects | Books Financial | English Law | Law | Subjects | Books Private Law | Law | Subjects | Books General | Administrative Law | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Similar Items: Life and Health Insurance (13th Edition) ASIN: 0256166994

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Customer Reviews:

Easy Reading.......2001-07-08

Average customer rating: Interesting

The Social Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural Perspective (Cambridge Studies in Social & Cultural Anthropology) Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Social Science | Nonfiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books General | Nonfiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books Nonfiction | Blowout Books | Stores | Books All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Social Services & Welfare | Poverty | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books Cultural | Anthropology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books General | Anthropology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (Public Worlds, V. 1) The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies Globalization (A Public Culture Book) The World of Goods: Towards an Anthropology of Consumption We Have Never Been Modern ASIN: 0521357268

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Customer Reviews:

Interesting.......2005-03-30

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