Developmental Evaluation Exemplars

Responding to evaluator and instructor demand, this book presents a diverse set of high-quality developmental evaluation (DE) case studies. Twelve insightful exemplars illustrate how DE is used to evaluate innovative initiatives in complex, dynamic environments, including a range of fields and international settings. Written by leading practitioners, chapters offer a rare window into what it takes to do DE, what roles must be fulfilled, and what results can be expected. Each case opens with an incisive introduction by the editors. The book also addresses frequently asked questions about DE, synthesizes key themes and lessons learned from the exemplars, and identifies eight essential principles of DE.

See also Michael Quinn Patton's Developmental Evaluation, the authoritative presentation of DE.

“"Central to this book is the notion that DE is principle-driven (a most refreshing change away from 'best practices'). DE is about learning and adjusting innovations for systems change, providing a basis for evaluations that embrace adaptation as conditions shift. Whether you are an evaluation student, instructor, or practitioner, the cases will help you learn your way into DE. Use them as part of your ongoing apprenticeship, as DE is learned through practice. You will appreciate the emphasis on the readiness conditions needed for DE to flourish. For anyone committed to participatory inquiry and action research, this book will become a trusted companion."--Ricardo Ramirez, PhD, independent researcher and evaluation consultant, Guelph, Ontario, Canada "The contributors delve into the 'whats,' 'whys', and 'how-tos' of this powerful, adaptive model of evaluation. Chapters highlight key conceptual linkages to systems thinking and complexity theory and show how these ideas can come to life with community stakeholders and policymakers. The case studies are a treasure trove of powerful stories, practical guidance, and teaching tools that bring DE to life across populations, cultures, settings, and nations. Developmental Evaluation Exemplars represents a significant advancement in the theory, methods, and practice of evaluation and systems change."--Rebecca Campbell, PhD, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University "The field has been waiting for a book like this one. A well-balanced, diverse set of authors focus on good examples of DE practice. The book shows how innovative projects and programs require evaluation practices and approaches that honor complexity, flexibility, and systems thinking. It describes with clarity how DE actually happens in complex ecologies and settings across the globe. This book is written for any serious student of evaluation at the graduate or postgraduate level. I am very happy to add it to my shelf of required and recommended materials for my classes in education policy and evaluation."--Rodney Hopson, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "This book demonstrates that DE is not just about applying tools and methods; it's about how evaluators can think more creatively, critically, strategically, and rigorously. It's also about building trusting, credible, ethical relationships. The exemplars will challenge you to bring forth your best thinking and relating as an evaluator."--Beverly A. Parsons, PhD, Executive Director, InSites, Fort Collins, Colorado”

"Central to this book is the notion that DE is principle-driven (a most refreshing change away from ‘best practices’). DE is about learning and adjusting innovations for systems change, providing a basis for evaluations that embrace adaptation as conditions shift. Whether you are an evaluation student, instructor, or practitioner, the cases will help you learn your way into DE. Use them as part of your ongoing apprenticeship, as DE is learned through practice. You will appreciate the emphasis on the readiness conditions needed for DE to flourish. For anyone committed to participatory inquiry and action research, this book will become a trusted companion."--Ricardo Ramirez, PhD, independent researcher and evaluation consultant, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

"The contributors delve into the 'whats,' 'whys', and 'how-tos' of this powerful, adaptive model of evaluation. Chapters highlight key conceptual linkages to systems thinking and complexity theory and show how these ideas can come to life with community stakeholders and policymakers. The case studies are a treasure trove of powerful stories, practical guidance, and teaching tools that bring DE to life across populations, cultures, settings, and nations. Developmental Evaluation Exemplars represents a significant advancement in the theory, methods, and practice of evaluation and systems change."--Rebecca Campbell, PhD, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University
"The field has been waiting for a book like this one. A well-balanced, diverse set of authors focus on good examples of DE practice. The book shows how innovative projects and programs require evaluation practices and approaches that honor complexity, flexibility, and systems thinking. It describes with clarity how DE actually happens in complex ecologies and settings across the globe. This book is written for any serious student of evaluation at the graduate or postgraduate level. I am very happy to add it to my shelf of required and recommended materials for my classes in education policy and evaluation."--Rodney Hopson, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

"This book demonstrates that DE is not just about applying tools and methods; it's about how evaluators can think more creatively, critically, strategically, and rigorously. It’s also about building trusting, credible, ethical relationships. The exemplars will challenge you to bring forth your best thinking and relating as an evaluator."--Beverly A. Parsons, PhD, Executive Director, InSites, Fort Collins, Colorado -An excellent resource for anyone who needs to use this type of evaluation method.--Doody's Review Service, 2/29/2016

Michael Quinn Patton, PhD, is an independent consultant who has been conducting program evaluations since the 1970s. Based in Minnesota, he was on the faculty of the University of Minnesota for 18 years and is a former president of the American Evaluation Association (AEA). His books include ]Blue Marble Evaluation, Developmental Evaluation, Developmental Evaluation Exemplars, Principles-Focused Evaluation, Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (now in its fourth edition), and Utilization-Focused Evaluation (now in its fourth edition), among others. He is a recipient of the Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Evaluation Practice Award and the Paul F. Lazarsfeld Evaluation Theory Award, both from AEA, as well as the Lester F. Ward Distinguished Contribution to Applied and Clinical Sociology Award from the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology. Dr. Patton is an active trainer and workshop presenter who has conducted applied research and evaluation on a broad range of issues and has worked with organizations and programs at the international, national, state, provincial, and local levels.

Kate McKegg, MA, is an independent evaluation consultant with more than 20 years of experience. She is Director of The Knowledge Institute Ltd and a member of the Kinnect Group in Hamilton, New Zealand. She is also the current President of the Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association and a former board member of the Australasian Evaluation Society (AES). Ms. McKegg is coeditor of Evaluating Policy and Practice: A New Zealand Reader. With Nan Wehipeihana, Kataraina Pipi, and Veronica Thompson, she received the Best Evaluation Policy and Systems Award from AES, for the He Oranga Poutama Developmental Evaluation.

Nan Wehipeihana, PostGradDip, is an independent evaluation consultant with more than 20 years of experience, based in Wellington, New Zealand. She specializes in evaluation and research with a focus on Maori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand. She established Research Evaluation Consultancy in 1997 and is a member of the Kinnect Group. Ms. Wehipeihana is a board member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association and a former appointed executive member of AES. Her tribal affiliations are to Ngati Porou and Te Whanau-a-Apanui on the East Coast of New Zealand and Ngati Tukorehe and Ngati Raukawa, north of Wellington, New Zealand.

Responding to evaluator and instructor demand, this book presents a diverse set of high-quality developmental evaluation (DE) case studies. Twelve insightful exemplars illustrate how DE is used to evaluate innovative initiatives in complex, dynamic environments, including a range of fields and international settings. Written by leading practitioners, chapters offer a rare window into what it takes to do DE, what roles must be fulfilled, and what results can be expected. Each case opens with an incisive introduction by the editors. The book also addresses frequently asked questions about DE, synthesizes key themes and lessons learned from the exemplars, and identifies eight essential principles of DE. See also Michael Quinn Patton's Developmental Evaluation, the authoritative presentation of DE.

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