Evaluation (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

by Carol H. Weiss (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This timely and accessible guide on the conduct of evaluation studies explores how we apply research methods in evaluating social programs, illustrating its points with reference to a variety of fields, including education, social services, and criminal justice.Offers practical advice on understanding the reasons for the study, identifying key questions to be answered, and planning and implementing the overall design of the study, including measurement, qualitative methods of inquiry, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. Stresses that understanding the underlying theory of the program is essential to developing the most appropriate evaluation, and emphasizes the need to take ethical considerations into account all along the course of the study. Covers meta-analysis, cost-benefit analysis and includes a non-technical discussion of the logic of data analysis. Includes references to further sources on measurement, existing longitudinal data sets, statistics, and qualitative analysis.For professionals in psychology, sociology, public health, public policy/affairs, education, and criminal justice.

From the Back Cover
This timely and accessible guide on the conduct of evaluation studies explores how we apply research methods in evaluating social programs, illustrating its points with reference to a variety of fields, including education, social services, and criminal justice.Offers practical advice on understanding the reasons for the study, identifying key questions to be answered, and planning and implementing the overall design of the study, including measurement, qualitative methods of inquiry, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. Stresses that understanding the underlying theory of the program is essential to developing the most appropriate evaluation, and emphasizes the need to take ethical considerations into account all along the course of the study. Covers meta-analysis, cost-benefit analysis and includes a non-technical discussion of the logic of data analysis. Includes references to further sources on measurement, existing longitudinal data sets, statistics, and qualitative analysis.For professionals in psychology, sociology, public health, public policy/affairs, education, and criminal justice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (December 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0133097250
• ISBN-13: 978-0133097252
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,922 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars First edition is shorter and better, March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This is the second edition of Weiss's original work on the subject of evaluation. The first edition written in the early 1970's really is a classic of the policy analysis field, a definite five in the Amazon rating scale. Unfortunatley, the second edition is an illustration of where less is more. It contains alot of detailed text that makes it a good reference, but a very poor read.

The purpose of Weiss's book is to give students, and practitioners an introduction to the field of evaluation. Evaluation is much like a 'how-to' manual of the policy sciences. It is filled with lists of important facets of research such as material explaining the concepts of scientific inquiry, and material on different research methodologies such as the difference between a random sample and a convenience sample, or the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. Weiss even gives advice on what to expect from the program staff during an evaluation and how to handle the inevitable tensions evaluation creates. Throughout her book, Weiss concentrates on driving home one central idea: Good evaluation is based on defining, testing and analyzing the assumptions of program theory. There are many different areas in which programs can run astray, but by focussing on theory, the evaluator can keep themselves on track. Surprisingly, after emphasizing this point, Weiss fails to place the concept of evaluation within a larger theoretical framework. Her book contains a short discussion of the political legislation that triggered the growth of evaluation science, but it does not outline the assumptions or the alternatives behind the legislation. Evaluation is best used as a reference for clarification on particular evaluation research issues, and not as a text from which to understand the implicit assumptions of evaluation science.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars First edition is shorter and better, May 20, 2003

By A Customer

This is the second edition of Weiss's original work on the subject of evaluation. The first edition written in the early 1970's really is a classic of the policy analysis field, a definite five in the rating scale. Unfortunatley, the second edition is an illustration of where less is more. It contains alot of detailed text that makes it a good reference, but a very poor read.
The purpose of Weiss's book is to give students, and practitioners an introduction to the field of evaluation. Evaluation is much like a 'how-to' manual of the policy sciences. It is filled with lists of important facets of research such as material explaining the concepts of scientific inquiry, and material on different research methodologies such as the difference between a random sample and a convenience sample, or the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. Weiss even gives advice on what to expect from the program staff during an evaluation and how to handle the inevitable tensions evaluation creates. Throughout her book, Weiss concentrates on driving home one central idea: Good evaluation is based on defining, testing and analyzing the assumptions of program theory. There are many different areas in which programs can run astray, but by focussing on theory, the evaluator can keep themselves on track. Surprisingly, after emphasizing this point, Weiss fails to place the concept of evaluation within a larger theoretical framework. Her book contains a short discussion of the political legislation that triggered the growth of evaluation science, but it does not outline the assumptions or the alternatives behind the legislation. Evaluation is best used as a reference for clarification on particular evaluation research issues, and not as a text from which to understand the implicit assumptions of evaluation science.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2nd edition is as wonderful as the 1st, February 23, 2006

By	Kathryn L. Braun (Honolulu) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Weiss' 1st edition as a college student and loved the friendly and down-to-earth way that she wrote about evaluation. The long-awaited 2nd edition is every bit as wonderful! She takes a complicated and potentially boring topic and makes it come alive with good examples and practical advice. As a professor of evaluation, I've tried a lot of textbooks. This one is my favorite, and my students and evaluation colleagues agree.