Essentials of Utilization-Focused Evaluation

First Edition

Michael Quinn Patton - Utilization-Focused Evaluation, Saint Paul, MN

August 2011 | 488 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Based on Michael Quinn Patton's best-selling Utilization-Focused Evaluation, this briefer book provides an overall framework and essential checklist steps for designing and conducting evaluations that actually get used. The new material and innovative graphics present the utilization-focused evaluation process as a complex adaptive system, incorporating current understandings about systems thinking and complexity concepts. The book integrates theory and practice, is based on both research and professional experience, and offers new case examples and cartoons with Patton's signature humor.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781412977418	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $85.00	Bookstore Price: $68.00
ISBN: 9781544304045	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $72.50	Bookstore Price: $58.00

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html.

For assistance with your order: Please email us at textsales@sagepub.com or connect with your SAGE representative.

SAGE
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
www.sagepub.com

Preface

Introduction

Step 1. Assess and Build Program and Organizational Readiness for Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Step 2. Assess and Enhance Evaluator Readiness and Competence to Undertake a Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Step 3. Identify, Organize, and Engage Primary Intended Users: The Personal Factor

Step 4. Situation Analysis Conducted Jointly With Primary Intended Users

Step 5. Identify and Prioritize Primary Intended Uses by Determining Priority Purposes

Step 6. Consider and Build in Process Uses if and as Appropriate

Step 7. Focus Priority Evaluation Questions

Step 8. Check That Fundamental Areas for Evaluation Inquiry Are Being Adequately Addressed: Implementation, Outcomes, and Attribution Questions

Step 9. Determine What Intervention Model or Theory of Change Is Being Evaluated

Step 10. Negotiate Appropriate Methods to Generate Credible Findings That Support Intended Use by Intended Users

Step 11. Make Sure Intended Users Understand Potential Methods Controversies and Their Implications

Step 12. Simulate Use of Findings: Evaluation's Equivalent of a Dress Rehearsal

Step 13. Gather Data With Ongoing Attention to Use

Step 14. Organize and Present the Data for Interpretation and Use by Primary Intended Users: Analysis, Interpretation, Judgment, and Recommendations

Step 15. Prepare an Evaluation Report to Facilitate Use and Disseminate Significant Findings to Expand Influence

Step 16. Follow Up With Primary Intended Users to Facilitate and Enhance Use

Step 17. Metaevaluation of Use: Be Aaccountable, Learn, and Improve

Summary and Conclusion

"A well-written and interesting presentation of a complex subject."

Melvin L. Musick, Pepperdine University

“Essentials provides an updated and refined U-FE process that reflects the evolving nature of the evaluation field and evaluation use, addresses past criticisms, and provides a process that is more easily followed, iterative as it is...In writing this book, Patton appeared to follow the wisdom of Albert Einstein, who said, ‘Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.’ Patton has done this with Essentials of Utilization Focused Evaluation...The book offers practical exercises at the end of each chapter. These are not exercises for which one can go back and find the answer in the book, but rather applications that require a person to reflect and think. This is in keeping with the U-FE approach, which provides a framework requiring reflection, critical thinking, and flexibility in order to apply it appropriately.”

Donna Podems, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

American Journal of Evaluation

It's a great book and it complements my other eval texts. Thanks.

Dr Eric Mundy

Public Admin & Urban Stds Dept, University of Akron

September 14, 2012

Report this review

Excellent resource for my doctoral level students!

Cheryl Poth

Educational Psychology , Univ of Alberta

June 28, 2012

Report this review

Key features

Key Features

Organized in a logical, sequential order, taking the reader step-by-step through the process of designing and conducting an evaluation, and getting it used
Integrates complex dynamic systems understandings into the utilization-focused evaluation process, providing readers with cutting edge thinking on evaluation
Includes discussion of meta-evaluation, an important new direction in evaluation derived from the 2010 revision of the Joint Committee standards
Includes case examples, illustrations, and cartoons in each chapter, together with practice exercises for every step to help readers apply what they've learned