New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts PDF Author: Aspen Institute. Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
The Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families is a forum in which persons involved in the current generation of community-based cross-systems reform efforts can engage in open and detailed discussion about the challenges they face and the lessons they are learning. This collection of papers aims to introduce some of the challenges facing CCI designers, funders, managers, and evaluators. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of all of the problems associated with the design, implementation, or evaluation of innovative anti-poverty programs, nor does it present definitive solutions to current problems.

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts PDF Author: Aspen Institute. Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families is a forum in which persons involved in the current generation of community-based cross-systems reform efforts can engage in open and detailed discussion about the challenges they face and the lessons they are learning. This collection of papers aims to introduce some of the challenges facing CCI designers, funders, managers, and evaluators. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of all of the problems associated with the design, implementation, or evaluation of innovative anti-poverty programs, nor does it present definitive solutions to current problems.

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Theory, measurement, and analysis

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Theory, measurement, and analysis PDF Author: Aspen Institute. Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Sections include: "A theory of change approach to evaluation", "Reflections from evaluation practitioners" and "Issues in measurement and analysis".

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives

New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives PDF Author: James P. Connell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Community development
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
This book offers a progress report on work accomplished over the last few years in comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs), a relatively new approach to community revitalization.

Rebuilding Community

Rebuilding Community PDF Author: Joan Smith
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1403919879
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 245

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Book Description
Our poorest urban neighbourhoods experience economic and social difficulties that uniquely affect the lives of those who live there. This volume examines the policies and initiatives now underway on both sides of the Atlantic to revitalize those areas. With contributors from the US, France and the UK the volume explains the nature of specific community building programmes and explores critical issues such as the role of partnerships and the importance of race and gender in urban regeneration.

Theory-Driven Evaluations

Theory-Driven Evaluations PDF Author: Huey T. Chen
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 1452252440
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
With the publication of Theory-Driven Evaluations, Huey-Tsyh Chen has given us an ambitious volume. . . . Indeed, it is the aspiration of this book to provide a conceptual framework that integrates the diverse approaches and paradigms of evaluation. For those of us accustomed to the rhetoric of the paradigm wars that have been raging in recent years, it is refreshing to find a text that works so assiduously at reconciliation. . . . There is much that is useful in Chen′s analysis. He gives us a full and thoughtful book that attempts no less than the construction of a conceptual framework for all of program evaluation. . . . It provides an impressive compendium of source material and references spanning not only evaluation, but related work in economics and public policy (this alone is worth the price of the book). . . . Chen′s Theory-Driven Evaluations provides a stimulating, even heroic attempt to bring some conceptual integration to a field that has been too long dominated by methodological paradigms and procedural particulars. --a prepublication review for Evaluation and Program Planning "Generous use of examples which are well selected and lucidly summarized." --Contemporary Sociology "Chen introduces a new, comprehensive framework for program evaluation that is designed to bridge the gap between method and theory-oriented perspectives. . . . For program planners, decision makers, scholars, and students, this volume clarifies, illuminates and provides unique insights into the conception, construction and implementation of a wide range of programs. . . . The research examples used in the discussion draw upon various areas, such as education, welfare, health, criminal justice, job training [and] family construction to attract a wider audience." --Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling Program evaluation has traditionally emphasized the application of social science research methods in evaluation activities. However, there is a growing awareness that program theory is vital for broadening the scope and enhancing the usefulness of program evaluation. In Theory-Driven Evaluations, Huey-Tsyh Chen introduces a new, comprehensive framework for program evaluation that is designed to bridge the gap between the method- and theory-oriented perspectives. He provides an intensive discussion of the nature and functions of program theory, approaches to constructing program theories, and the integration of program theory with evaluation processes. Specific types of theory-driven evaluations, as well as principles and guidelines for application are developed for meeting different policy purposes. Application of systematic strategies is illustrated by concrete examples from a variety of evaluation studies in different fields. The presentation of this new perspective directly addresses the needs and concerns in both the professional and applied areas of program evaluation. For program planners, decisionmakers, scholars and students, this volume will clarify, illuminate, and provide unique insights into the conception, construction, and implementation of a wide range of programs.

Credible and Actionable Evidence

Credible and Actionable Evidence PDF Author: Stewart I. Donaldson
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 148335508X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
Addressing one of the most important and contentious issues challenging applied research and evaluation practice today—what constitutes credible and actionable evidence?—this volume offers a balanced and current context in which to analyze the long-debated quantitative-qualitative paradigms. In the Second Edition, the contributors, a veritable "who’s who" in evaluation, discuss the diversity and changing nature of credible and actionable evidence; offer authoritative guidance about using credible and actionable evidence; explain how to use it to provide rigorous and influential evaluations; and include lessons from their own applied research and evaluation to suggest ways to address the key issues and challenges. Reflecting the latest developments in the field and covering both experimental and non-experimental methods, the new edition includes revised and updated chapters, summaries of strengths and weaknesses across varied approaches, and contains diverse definitions of evidence. Also included are two new chapters on assessing credibility and synthesizing evidence for policy makers. This is a valuable resource for students and others interested in how to best study and evaluate programs, policies, organizations, and other initiatives designed to improve aspects of the human condition and societal well-being.

Methodologies for Practice Research

Methodologies for Practice Research PDF Author: Carol Costley
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1526453339
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Order your digital inspection copy here. Sharp and focused, this book provides the need-to-know information on how to design and implement a good, high quality research project. Oriented around real-world application, it emphasizes the aspects of research most relevant to conducting practice-based research. Assuming no prior knowledge, but appropriate for experienced learners, it builds knowledge at a sustainable pace. It offers readers: - A no frills guide to methodology and the theory of conducting research - Strategies for communicating complex ideas - Insight into common impact-driven methods like action research, case study, and mixed methods - Ways to develop systematic research projects within the boundaries of everyday working life - Ample opportunities to test and apply newfound knowledge. With streamlined advice tailored specifically to support research in professional contexts, this book is the essential toolkit every researcher who is embarking on a practice-led project needs.

Experimental Evaluation Design for Program Improvement

Experimental Evaluation Design for Program Improvement PDF Author: Laura R. Peck
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 1506390048
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description
The concepts of cause and effect are critical to the field of program evaluation. Experimentally-designed evaluations—those that randomize to treatment and control groups—offer a convincing means for establishing a causal connection between a program and its effects. Experimental Evaluation Design for Program Improvement considers a range of impact evaluation questions, particularly those questions that focus on the impact of specific aspects of a program. Laura R. Peck shows how a variety of experimental evaluation design options can provide answers to these questions, and she suggests opportunities for experiments to be applied in more varied settings and focused on program improvement efforts.

Urban Problems and Community Development

Urban Problems and Community Development PDF Author: Ronald F. Ferguson
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
ISBN: 9780815719816
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 650

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Book Description
In recent years, concerned governments, businesses, and civic groups have launched ambitious programs of community development designed to halt, and even reverse, decades of urban decline. But while massive amounts of effort and money are being dedicated to improving the inner-cities, two important questions have gone unanswered: Can community development actually help solve long-standing urban problems? And, based on social science analyses, what kinds of initiatives can make a difference? This book surveys what we currently know and what we need to know about community development's past, current, and potential contributions. The authors--economists, sociologists, political scientists, and a historian--define community development broadly to include all capacity building (including social, intellectual, physical, financial, and political assets) aimed at improving the quality of life in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The book addresses the history of urban development strategies, the politics of resource allocation, business and workforce development, housing, community development corporations, informal social organizations, schooling, and public security.

Public-Private Partnerships

Public-Private Partnerships PDF Author: Stephen Osborne
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134615051
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 433

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Book Description
Public-Private partnerships are an increasing aspect of the delivery of public policies and services across the world. This book is the first to draw upon a range of disciplines to offer theoretical perspectives upon their analysis as well as a range of case-studies of their management from around the world. It also offers a number of frameworks fo