Evidence-Building and Evaluation in Government (Evaluation in Practice Series)

Public managers, contractors, and grantees conducting evaluations for government operate in a complex environment where policymakers and commissioners of evaluation expect different types of "evidence" and simultaneously employ different criteria in judging the quality of that evidence. Evidence-Building and Evaluation in Government provides a road map for evaluators doing business within or for government, and public managers who are expected to assess and use evidence generated by a large variety of evaluation approaches. The book provides checklists and how-to guidance to help students and other readers develop skills in important activities such as: assessing the quality of evidence claims; developing theories of change to guide the design and evaluation of programs and policies; developing learning agendas to bridge the gap between evidence producers and potential evidence users; and increasing the support of public leaders and executives in the generation and use of evidence to inform their decision-making. Authors Kathryn Newcomer and Nicholas Hart include end-of-chapter exercises for readers to test their ability to apply the skills described.