The book is designed to enable students of public policy, policymakers and mangers to obtain useful information and conduct successful systematic evaluations, even under tight resource constraints. This text presents a wide variety of approaches to evaluation through brief, authoritative articles by top academics and practitioners. Thoroughly revised and updated this third edition is filled with the most current information, up-to-date examples, and puts increased emphasis on practical applicability. The third edition also features a new and up-dated instructor's manual.

Table of Contents

Figures, Tables, and Exhibits. Preface. The Editors. The Contributors. Part One: Evaluation Planning and Design. 1. Planning and Designing Useful Evaluations (Kathryn E. Newcomer, Harry P. Hatry and Joseph S. Wholey). 2. Analyzing and Engaging Stakeholders (John M. Bryson and Michael Q. Patton). 3. Using Logic Models (John A. McLaughlin and Gretchen B. Jordan). 4. Exploratory Evaluation (Joseph S. Wholey). 5. Performance Measurement: Monitoring Program Outcomes (Theodore H. Poister). 6. Comparison Group Designs (Gary T. Henry). 7. Randomized Controlled Trials and Nonrandomized Designs (Carole T. Torgerson, David J. Torgerson and Celia A. Taylor). 8. Conducting Case Studies (Karin Martinson and Carolyn O'Brien). 9. Recruitment and Retention of Study Participants (Scott C Cook, Shara Godiwalla, Keeshawna Brooks, Christopher Powers and Priya John). 10. Designing, Managing, and Analyzing Multisite Evaluations (Debra J. Rog). Part Two: Practical Data Collection Procedures. 11. Using Agency Records (Harry P. Hatry). 12. Using Surveys (Kathryn E. Newcomer and Timothy Triplett). 13. Using Trained Observer Ratings (Barbara J. Cohn Berman, Julie Brenman and Verna Vasquez). 14. Collecting Data in the Field (Demetra Smith Nightingale and Shelli B. Rossman). 15. Using the Internet (William C. Adams). 16. Conducting Semi-Structured Interviews (William C. Adams). 17. Focus Group Interviewing (Richard A. Krueger and Mary Anne Casey). 18. Using Stories in Evaluation (Richard A. Krueger). Part Three: Data Analysis. 19. Qualitative Data Analysis (Patricia J. Rogers and Delwyn Goodrick). 20.Using Statistics in Evaluation (Kathryn E. Newcomer and Dylan Conger). 21. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit Analysis (Stephanie Riegg Cellini and James Edwin Kee). 22. Meta-Analyses, Systematic Reviews, and Evaluation Syntheses (Robert F. Boruch and Anthony Petrosino). Part Four: Use of Evaluation. 23. Pitfalls in Evaluation (Harry P. Hatry and Kathryn E. Newcomer). 24. Providing Recommendations, Suggestions, and Options for Improvement (George F. Grob). 25. Writing for Impact (George F. Grob). 26. Contracting for Evaluation Products and Services (James B. Bell). 27. Use of Evaluation in Government: The Politics of Evaluation (Joseph S. Wholey). 28. Evaluation Challenges, Issues, and Trends (Harry P. Hatry, Joseph S. Wholey and Kathryn E. Newcomer). Name Index. Subject Index.

About the Author

Joseph S. Wholey is professor emeritus at the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California. Harry P. Hatry is director of the Public Management Program at the Urban Institute, where he also previously served as director of the State-Local Government Research Program. Kathryn E. Newcomer is director of the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University.