Evaluation in Action: Theory and Practice for Effective Evaluation - Couverture souple

Squirrell, Gillian

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1905541767 ISBN 13 : 9781905541768

Editeur : Russell House Publishing Ltd, 2012

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Evaluation is a powerful tool that can create considerable fear. It may be used to decide how to allocate often scarce resources, it can be the forerunner of bad news, or just be a means to preserve the status quo. But evaluation is always about people, and can empower the disempowered, stimulate change, and support democratic innovation and creativity, and it is these elements that this book emphasises. Exploring its emotional as well as social, political and technical aspects, this book shows how evaluation is always about people, and that what it becomes is a matter of choice. Accessible for those early in their experience of evaluation, this book takes them and those with more experience to more advanced levels, by providing: theory, background information, history and reflections on the diversity of possible developments of evaluation. It offers readers opportunities to reflect on examples and on their own practice, and to make use of some guidelines and check-lists. It offers the chance to consider and utilise: a range of different approaches to framing and undertaking evaluations; ways to think about evaluation design and possible different types of tools to use; the learning that comes from evaluations - both at individual and organisational level, and to stimulate project and organisational changes. It works through a range of important practical issues, including pitfalls, and covers all aspects of evaluations, from design through to working with the report, including: the reasons for evaluation, from generating knowledge through to supporting innovative programmes, and approaches to evaluation, including Fourth Generation and democratic evaluation; frameworks for programme development and evaluative work, including logic models and theories of change; organisational learning, and the role that evaluations may play in both learning and change; the politics of evaluation and its uses, and ethical issues in undertaking evaluations; the process of contracting an evaluation, and the role of stakeholders; full acknowledgement of the very human dimensions of the evaluative relationship and explores the management of feelings in these relationships and the role of the evaluator. It is for: evaluators, new and experienced; anyone commissioning evaluations; everyone involved in evaluations, as stakeholders, at any level; organisations wanting to develop an evaluation strategy; students, lecturers, researchers and libraries.

Biographie de l'auteur

Dr Gillian Squirrell describes her career as social sciences in action. With an academic background in social sciences and management she has worked for over 20 years in research, evaluation, training, organisational development and as a social entrepreneur. She has worked in and been contracted to universities, research and development institutes, the public sector and non-profits. She founded and was the CEO of a residential, learning and training project for offenders and substance misusers for 10 years. She has undertaken many national evaluations of social policy and programme interventions, run national consultations and researched and trained extensively in areas of programme development, evaluation, engagement and the interplay of research, policy and practice development. As an organisational consultant and manager she has been actively engaged in working with change in organisations and mediating the various challenges that changes to programme expectations and budgets can present. She works extensively with action research and action learning and systems theory. She is currently researching and developing a new vocationally geared social enterprise programme for excluded adults. More information about the author can be found at www.gilliansquirrell.net. There was high praise for Gillian Squirrell's earlier Russell House publications. The three bestselling training manuals - Becoming an Effective Trainer (1998), Developing Life Skills (1998), Developing Social Skills (1999) - were acclaimed in many published reviews, and remain both in print and in widespread use. Becoming an Effective Trainer was described as 'Particularly valuable... It is presented accessibly and balances theory and practice.' Community Care. 'An ongoing source of reference and help.' Youthwork. 'Promotes all the right messages.' www.trainingzone.co.uk.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Russell House Publishing Ltd
• Date d'édition: 2012
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1905541767
• ISBN 13: 9781905541768
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 152
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible