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Practical Program Evaluation
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Practical Program Evaluation
Foundations of the Field and Current Advancements

Third Edition
November 2026 | 464 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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This text introduces students to the real world of evaluation by concentrating on the six stages of an intervention program and providing students with a framework for assessing programs at the different stages in the life cycle. The core of program evaluation is its body of concepts, theories, and methods and this text introduces both conventional and contemporary approaches. The author provides a set of principles that guide decision-making, and chapters end with Questions for Reflection to help students review and test their understanding of the material.
 
Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Program Evaluation
The Nature of Intervention Programs and Evaluation: A Systems View

 
A Brief History of Program Evaluation

 
Stakeholders and Evaluation

 
Internal Versus External Evaluators

 
Evaluation Approaches and Value-Enhancement Guides

 
Politics, Social Justice, Evaluation Standards, and Ethics

 
Dynamics of Intervention Programs in Communities

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 2: How to Select an Evaluation Approach that Works
Introduction

 
Program Stages

 
Intervention Types

 
A Classification of Evaluation Approaches Based on Program Stages and Intervention Types

 
Additional Issues on Selecting an Evaluation Approach

 
Communicating with Stakeholders on Evaluation Types and Program Stages

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 3: Using a Model to Describe an Intervention Program: Logic Models and the Action Model/Change Model Schema
Introduction

 
Logic Models

 
The Action Model-Change Model Schema

 
The Change Model and Its Components

 
The Action Model and Its Components

 
Relative Strengths and Limitations of Logic Models and the Action Model-Change Model Schema

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 4: Evaluating a Program Plan During the Planning Stage
Introduction

 
A Participatory Approach to Evaluate a Program Plan

 
The Commentary and Advisory Approach to Evaluate a Program Plan

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 5: Evaluating a Program at the Initial Implementation Stage
Introduction

 
Formative Evaluation

 
Formative Evaluation Results: Use With Caution

 
Multi-Wave Formative Evaluation

 
Conclusion

 
Questions of Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6: Applying the Fidelity Perspective to Evaluate Program Implementation at the Mature Implementation Stage
Introduction

 
Fidelity Evaluation Perspective

 
Single-Component Fidelity Evaluation

 
Theory-Driven Fidelity Evaluation

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 7: Evaluate Program Implementation at the Mature Implementation Stage (2): The Adaptation Perspective
Introduction

 
Rapid Evaluation

 
Program Stress Test

 
A guide to applying the fidelity evaluation or adaptation evaluation for evaluating the implementation process

 
Conclusion

 
Questions of Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 8: Program Alignment Assessment Evaluations
Introduction

 
Approaches for Assessing a Program’ Alignment for Outcome Evaluation

 
SMART Goals

 
Evaluability Assessment

 
Plausibility Assessment/Consensus-Building Approach

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
 
Chapter 9: Program Monitoring and the Development of a Monitoring System
Introduction

 
What Is Program Monitoring?

 
Process Monitoring

 
Outcome Monitoring

 
Program-Monitoring Systems Within Organizations

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
 
Chapter 10: Outcome Evaluation: The Experimentation Perspective
Introduction

 
The History of Applying the Experimentation Perspective for Outcome Evaluation

 
The Distinction Between Internal Validity and External Validity

 
Threats to Internal Validity

 
Research Designs for Ruling Out Threats to Internal Validity

 
Address Equity Issues in Outcome Evaluation

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 11: Real-World Outcome Evaluation: The Holistic Effectuality Evaluation Perspective
Ongoing Debates Over the Experimentation Evaluation Perspective for Outcome Evaluation

 
The Holistic Effectuality Evaluation Approach

 
Why Adjuvants Are Needed for Real-World Programs

 
Methodology for Real-World Outcome Evaluation

 
Research Steps for Assessing Real-World Effects

 
Usefulness of the Holistic Effectuality Evaluation Perspective

 
Essential Differences Between the Experimentation Evaluation Perspective and the Holistic Effectuality Evaluation Perspective

 
Building Evidence from the Ground Up

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
 
Chapter 12: Theory of Change and Theory-Driven Outcome Evaluation
Introduction

 
Clarifying Stakeholders’ Implicit Theory

 
Guidelines for Conducting Theory-Driven Outcome Evaluation

 
Types of Theory-Driven Outcome Evaluation

 
The Intervening Mechanism Evaluation Approach

 
The Moderating Mechanism Evaluation Approach

 
The Integrative Process/Outcome Evaluation Approach

 
Theory-Driven Outcome Evaluation and Unintended Effects

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
 
Chapter 13: Evaluating the Dissemination of Effective Programs
Introduction

 
The Top-Down Perspective for Dissemination and Evaluation

 
The Top-Down Perspective for Dissemination and Evaluation

 
A Case Study of Applying the Bottom-Up Perspective for Evaluating a Carbon Monoxide Ordinance for Dissemination Purposes

 
Implications for Future Studies in Dissemination and Evaluation

 
Conclusion

 
Questions for Reflection

 
References

 
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

Provides guidance on evaluation at all six stages of the evaluation process: shows how evaluators can work with stakeholders to identify the program stage or stages for evaluation.

Recognizing that there are two types of intervention programs operating in communities—evidence-based and community-based—this edition provides different sets of theories and approaches for evaluating these two types of programs. 

KEY FEATURES:

Focuses on the intervention program life cycle—from program planning to initial implementation, mature implementation, program alignment, outcome, and dissemination—and provides guidance on evaluation at each stage.

Covers both traditional and cutting-edge evaluation perspectives and processes, showing how evaluators can do better evaluations if they are familiar and competent in all areas.

Is pedagogically driven: the book provides a set of principles for making the best choices in the variety of evaluation situations that evaluators encounter, it includes rich examples of applications, and includes end-of-chapter reflection questions. 

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