Читать книгу Evaluation in Today’s World - Veronica G. Thomas - Страница 2

Using evaluation in today’s world is ultimately about humanity’s future. The stakes are huge. Evaluation use flows from quality. Quality in today’s world requires diversity. Whether evaluation contributes to a more just, equitable, and sustainable world will be determined by how—and how well—evaluators and stakeholders together meet the challenge to respect, promote, and improve quality, diversity, and use. Our collective future rests on those foundational pillars. This book is an outstanding contribution to the evaluation literature.

—Michael Quinn Patton, Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Finally! An evaluation textbook that not only provides information on the mechanics of evaluation practice but also explicitly acknowledges the role of structural racism and its influence on the field of evaluation. This textbook is a timely addition to the evaluation literature, and serves as a meaningful tool to examine and engage the intersections of evaluation, social justice, and privilege.

—Jori N. Hall, University of Georgia

This is the evaluation text I’ve been waiting for! It weaves together a comprehensive, inclusive history of the evaluation field with issues that face new and experienced practicing evaluators every day. It also brings to the fore topics not covered in other evaluation texts, such as evaluation ethics in practice, the hidden figures and influential women in evaluation, important epistemological shifts in the field, and the intersection of social justice and social programming. This will be a critical resource for all who want to make a difference through high quality evaluation practice.

—Leslie Goodyear, Education Development Center

Very rarely are issues related to race, class, and power discussed so eloquently and effectively within an evaluation text.

—John Ridings, The Institute for Clinical Social Work

Thomas and Campbell have taken topics that are often only alluded to in program evaluation texts and brought them to the forefront, highlighting the importance of understanding the diversity of society when developing effective evaluations.

—Marcus-Antonio Galeste, Arizona State University

This is a much-needed, useful, and relevant text that bridges the evaluation process and methods with our cultural, historical, and political climate. It integrates diverse activities, methods, and applications that will help prepare students to become successful future practitioners and evaluators.

—Karen Tinsley, Guilford College

This text covers the salient features of research and evaluation in clear language and includes the often-overlooked impact of cultural awareness and understanding throughout the research process. In an increasingly multicultural and complex society, the authors have created a resource to help budding researchers evaluate their goals, needs, and biases as they enter this fascinating field.

—Brenda S. Gerhardt, University of Dayton

This is the most comprehensive text on evaluation that I have seen. The section on ethics challenges students to reflect on their own beliefs and values, and how those might cause bias in evaluation.

—Sandra Handwerk, Albany State University

This text provides a strong voice to support the inclusion of social justice issues in evaluation planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting.

—Debra J. Dirksen, Western New Mexico University