Evaluation Essentials

An indispensable primer on program evaluation, with step-by-step instructions and real world examples The field of evaluation, which has its roots in the evaluation of Federal programs, has grown into an important aspect of the nonprofit funding cycle. Many funders require that initiatives they fund be subject to some form of evaluation, and the demand for trained evaluators is greater than ever before. Evaluation Essentials offers an introduction to the theory and practice of evaluation, with examples from sectors including public policy, public health, non-profit management, social work, arts management, education, international assistance, and labor. Beth Osborne DaPonte, a leading authority in program evaluation, describes a step-by-step approach to forming evaluation questions, describing programs using Theory of Change and program logic models, understanding causation as it relates to evaluation, using quasi-experimental design, and creating meaningful outcome measures. This Second Edition covers the latest best practices and advances in the field, helping readers develop the essential skills they’ll need to work as an evaluator or to wisely hire an evaluator. With Evaluation Essentials, nonprofit leaders, funders, government agencies, NGOs and students gain a thorough and thoughtful approach to demonstrating real impact. A nuts-and-bolts introduction to program evaluation for the nonprofit and public sectors Evaluation Essentials: Methods for Conducting Sound Research, 2nd Edition, is a substantial update to the popular overview of the evaluation process. Virtually every form of externally funded nonprofit activity must be periodically evaluated, and trained evaluators are in higher demand than ever before. This book offers a step-by-step introduction to the process and methods of program evaluation, with over 40 examples from public policy, public health, non-profit management, social work, arts management, education, international assistance, and labor. Evaluation Essentials covers updates in the field of evaluation, including contribution analyses, as well as current best practices for forming evaluation questions, applying program theory, performing literature reviews, collecting data, creating outcome measures, designing and conducting surveys, grant writing, and much more. This Second Edition also includes an expanded international context, examining evaluation in international organizations. The process outlined in this book is also applicable to policy evaluation and the evaluation of organizational performance, adding additional value to this timely update. Gain a foundational knowledge of the principles and practices of program evaluation Design evaluations and conduct research, including quantitative and qualitative analysis Generate data that can be used to demonstrate a program's impact to funders and stakeholders Learn from examples drawn from a broad range of nonprofit organizations This definitive guide to evaluation will appeal to professionals in fields as diverse as education, policy sciences, public administration, sociology, health, and beyond.