Small-Scale Evaluation : Principles and Practice

How can evaluation be used most effectively, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods? Colin Robson provides guidance in a clear and uncluttered way. The issue of collaboration is examined step-by-step; stakeholder models are compared with techniques such as participatory evaluation and practitioner-centred action research; ethical and political considerations are placed in context; and the best ways of communicating findings are discussed. Each chapter is illustrated with helpful exercises to show the practical application of the issues covered, making this an invaluable introduction for anyone new to evaluation. This Book Explains What Evaluations Are, How They Can Be Used Most Effectively, And Outlines The Strengths And Pitfalls Of Different Evaluation Methods. Each Chapter Comes With Tasks To Demonstrate The Practical Importance Of The Issues Covered And To Lead The Reader Through The Steps Necessary To Carry Out A Successful Evaluation. The Book Is Aimed At Anyone Who Is Faced With The Task Of Doing Small-scale Evaluations For The First Time, Whether Or Not They Have A Professional Background In The Field, And Anyone Studying Evaluation Methods Throughout The Social Sciences.--jacket. 1. Evaluation: The What And The Why -- 2. The Advantages Of Collaboration -- 3. Ethical And Political Considerations -- 4. Designs For Different Purposes -- 5. Getting Answers To Evaluation Questions -- 6. Some Practicalities -- 7. Communicating The Findings -- App. A. Needs Analysis -- App. B. Efficiency (cost And Benefit) Analysis -- App. C. Code Of Ethics. Colin Robson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [144]-149) And Index. COVER ......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 8 PREFACE......Page 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 11 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 1EVALUATION: THE WHAT AND THE WHY......Page 19 2 THE ADVANTAGES OF COLLABORATION......Page 28 3 ETHICAL AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS......Page 41 4 DESIGNS FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES......Page 58 5 GETTING ANSWERS TO EVALUATION QUESTIONS......Page 92 6 SOME PRACTICALITIES......Page 119 7 COMMUNICATING THE FINDINGS......Page 134 APPENDIX A: NEEDS ANALYSIS......Page 140 APPENDIX B: EFFICIENCY (COST AND BENEFIT) ANALYSIS......Page 149 APPENDIX C: CODE OF ETHICS......Page 154 REFERENCES AND AUTHOR INDEX......Page 157 INDEX......Page 164 "This book explains what evaluations are, how they can be used most effectively, and outlines the strengths and pitfalls of different evaluation methods. Each chapter comes with tasks to demonstrate the practical importance of the issues covered and to lead the reader through the steps necessary to carry out a successful evaluation.". "The book is aimed at anyone who is faced with the task of doing small-scale evaluations for the first time, whether or not they have a professional background in the field, and anyone studying evaluation methods throughout the social sciences."--BOOK JACKET. Colin Robson provides guidance on how evaluation be used most effectively in a clear and uncluttered way. The issue of collaboration is examined step-by-step; stakeholder models are compared with techniques such as participatory evaluation; ethical considerations are placed in context; and the best ways of communicating findings are discussed. Colin Robson describes the key topics in a clear uncomplicated way. He provides an authoritative, critical introduction to the field, analyzes the business collaboration and compares and contrasts stakeholder models with other models of involvement Consider a project which seeks to help single parents to get a job.