Practical Research and Evaluation

Practical Research and Evaluation PDF Author: Lena Dahlberg
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 144624816X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
This book is a starter ′DIY′ text for practitioners who are looking to conduct evaluation studies and research as part of their own professional practice. The growing emphasis on evidence-based practice means that there is an increasing need for practitioners to have at least a basic understanding of research, be aware of methodological pitfalls and to be updated on new methods. This book provides a practical, user-friendly guide to social science research methods for professionals who have benefited from little, if any, formal research methods training but find themselves in a role that requires them to read and understand complex research findings and carry out their own research as part of their professional practice. Practical Research and Evaluation is aimed at practitioners working in education, health, social care and community work. Many in this market are non-graduates or are those whose study did not contain a research element, but are required to know how research works. This book has three main aims which will benefit this audience - to enable readers to carry out small-scale research projects of their own, provide them with the basic understanding necessary to commission research, and enable them to better understand and evaluate critically research reports. This book is designed specifically for ′Do-it-Yourself′ researchers working in the public or voluntary sectors. It is accessible and relevant to practitioners, uses non-technical language wherever possible and employs grounded examples, practical tips, checklists and readings lists throughout.

Practical Research and Evaluation

Practical Research and Evaluation PDF Author: Lena Dahlberg
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 144624816X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book is a starter ′DIY′ text for practitioners who are looking to conduct evaluation studies and research as part of their own professional practice. The growing emphasis on evidence-based practice means that there is an increasing need for practitioners to have at least a basic understanding of research, be aware of methodological pitfalls and to be updated on new methods. This book provides a practical, user-friendly guide to social science research methods for professionals who have benefited from little, if any, formal research methods training but find themselves in a role that requires them to read and understand complex research findings and carry out their own research as part of their professional practice. Practical Research and Evaluation is aimed at practitioners working in education, health, social care and community work. Many in this market are non-graduates or are those whose study did not contain a research element, but are required to know how research works. This book has three main aims which will benefit this audience - to enable readers to carry out small-scale research projects of their own, provide them with the basic understanding necessary to commission research, and enable them to better understand and evaluate critically research reports. This book is designed specifically for ′Do-it-Yourself′ researchers working in the public or voluntary sectors. It is accessible and relevant to practitioners, uses non-technical language wherever possible and employs grounded examples, practical tips, checklists and readings lists throughout.

Transformative Research and Evaluation

Transformative Research and Evaluation PDF Author: Donna M. Mertens
Publisher: Guilford Press
ISBN: 1593859856
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 417

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Book Description
From distinguished scholar Donna M. Mertens, this core book provides a framework for making methodological decisions and conducting research and evaluations that promote social justice. The transformative paradigm has emerged from - and guides - a broad range of social and behavioral science research projects with communities that have been pushed to the margins, such as ethnic, racial, and sexual minority group members and children and adults with disabilities. Mertens shows how to formulate research questions based on community needs, develop researcher-community partnerships grounded in trust and respect, and skillfully apply quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods data collection strategies. Practical aspects of analyzing and reporting results are addressed, and numerous sample studies are presented. An ideal core book for graduate courses, or practitioner resource, the book includes: Commentary on the sample studies that explains what makes them transformative. Explanations of key concepts related to oppression, social justice, and the role of research and evaluation. Questions for Thought to stimulate critical self-reflection and discussion. Advance chapter organizers and chapter summaries. The book is intended for graduate students in psychology, education, social work, sociology, and nursing, as well as practicing researchers and program evaluators. It will serve as a core book or supplement in Research Methods, Program Evaluation, and Community Psychology courses.

Being an Evaluator

Being an Evaluator PDF Author: Donna Podems
Publisher: Guilford Publications
ISBN: 1462537804
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
Demystifying the evaluation journey, this is the first evaluation mentoring book that addresses the choices, roles, and challenges that evaluators must navigate in the real world. Experienced evaluator and trainer Donna R. Podems covers both conceptual and technical aspects of practice in a friendly, conversational style. She focuses not just on how to do evaluations but how to think like an evaluator, fostering reflective, ethical, and culturally sensitive practice. Extensive case examples illustrate the process of conceptualizing and implementing an evaluation--clarifying interventions, identifying beneficiaries, gathering data, discussing results, valuing, and developing recommendations. The differences (and connections) between research, evaluation, and monitoring are explored. Handy icons identify instructive features including self-study exercises, group activities, clarifying questions, facilitation and negotiation techniques, insider tips, advice, and resources. Purchasers can access a companion website to download and print reproducible materials for some of the activities and games described in the book.

Practical Approaches to Applied Research and Program Evaluation for Helping Professionals

Practical Approaches to Applied Research and Program Evaluation for Helping Professionals PDF Author: Casey A. Barrio Minton
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351611542
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
Practical Approaches to Applied Research and Program Evaluation for Helping Professionals is a comprehensive textbook that presents master’s-level counseling students with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully evaluate the effectiveness of mental health services and programs. Each chapter, aligned with 2016 Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards, guides counseling students through study design and evaluation fundamentals that will help them understand existing research and develop studies to best assess their own applied research questions. Readers will learn the basics of research concepts as applied to evaluative tasks, the art of matching evaluative methods to questions, specific considerations for practice-based evaluative tasks, and practical statistical options matched to practice-based tasks. Readers can also turn to the book’s companion website to access worksheets for practitioner and student planning exercises, spreadsheets with formulas for basic data analysis, a sample database, PowerPoint outlines , and discussion questions and activities aligned to each chapter.

Randomized Experiments for Planning and Evaluation

Randomized Experiments for Planning and Evaluation PDF Author: Robert F. Boruch
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9780803935105
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
Boruch untangles the complexities of randomized field experiments, exploring the criteria for deciding whether a programme has worked or not, standards used to judge the ethcial propriety of the experiments and baseline measures.

Qualitative Evaluation Methods

Qualitative Evaluation Methods PDF Author: Michael Quinn Patton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 381

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Book Description


Practical Evaluation

Practical Evaluation PDF Author: Michael Quinn Patton
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
ISBN: 9780803919051
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
Patton demonstrates that the main failing of most evaluations is a lack of practicality. They fail to be cheap, accurate, attuned to the differences between different programmes or to provide useful, realistic policy alternatives for decision-makers. Patton discusses the major stages of the evaulation process, describing evaluation design, measurement, analysis and reporting. Using his own field and workshop experiences, he provides a new vision of evaluation that emphasizes the elements of feasibility, efficiency, and utility.

Practical Research and Evaluation

Practical Research and Evaluation PDF Author: Lena Dahlberg
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 184787004X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book is a starter 'DIY' text for practitioners who are looking to conduct evaluation studies and research as part of their own professional practice. The growing emphasis on evidence-based practice means that there is an increasing need for practitioners to have at least a basic understanding of research, be aware of methodological pitfalls and to be updated on new methods. This book provides a practical, user-friendly guide to social science research methods for professionals who have benefited from little, if any, formal research methods training but find themselves in a role that requires them to read and understand complex research findings and carry out their own research as part of their professional practice. Practical Research and Evaluation is aimed at practitioners working in education, health, social care and community work. Many in this market are non-graduates or are those whose study did not contain a research element, but are required to know how research works. This book has three main aims which will benefit this audience - to enable readers to carry out small-scale research projects of their own, provide them with the basic understanding necessary to commission research, and enable them to better understand and evaluate critically research reports. This book is designed specifically for 'Do-it-Yourself' researchers working in the public or voluntary sectors. It is accessible and relevant to practitioners, uses non-technical language wherever possible and employs grounded examples, practical tips, checklists and readings lists throughout.

Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation

Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation PDF Author: Joseph S. Wholey
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 0787973882
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 600

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Book Description
The second edition of Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation offers managers, analysts, consultants, and educators in government, nonprofit, and private institutions a valuable resource that outlines efficient and economical methods for assessing program results and identifying ways to improve program performance. The Handbook has been thoroughly revised. Many new chapters have been prepared for this edition, including chapters on logic modeling and on evaluation applications for small nonprofit organizations. The Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation is a comprehensive resource on evaluation, covering both in-depth program evaluations and performance monitoring. It presents evaluation methods that will be useful at all levels of government and in nonprofit organizations.

Conceptual and Practical Research and Statistics for Social Workers (First Edition)

Conceptual and Practical Research and Statistics for Social Workers (First Edition) PDF Author: Francis Yuen
Publisher: Cognella Academic Publishing
ISBN: 9781516531226
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Conceptual and Practical Research and Statistics for Social Workers prepares students to intuitively theorize and utilize research and statistics within their social work practice. The book fosters the skills, savvy, and knowledge students need to interpret, apply, and produce studies within the discipline, enhancing their ability to become better consumers and producers of social work research. The book features two main sections, Research and Statistics, and its organization reflects the basic research process. The text begins with coverage of research questions and design and then introduces various data collection methods and instruments. Students then learn how to effectively analyze data and report and disseminate key findings. Throughout, readers build their understanding of methodological, ethical, and logical concepts in research and statistics, become familiar with basic needs assessment and program evaluation, develop the ability to choose appropriate statistics, and more. Employing everyday language, social work examples, metaphors, humor, and visual mapping, Conceptual and Practical Research and Statistics for Social Workers helps students tap into their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop key competencies. The text is an ideal resource for both undergraduate and graduate-level programs in social work.