Linking Auditing and Meta-Evaluation


Book Description

The emergence of new evaluation paradigms raises serious questions about how merit can be established and judged. Linking Auditing and Metaevaluation addresses this concern, introducing a strategy by which the quality of inquiry procedures and products can be assured and retrospectively assessed. Based upon the model of fiscal auditing, the technique is applicable to a variety of social scientific investigations and specifically includes non - conventional paradigms such as naturalistic evaluation. Effective regardless of the nature of the inquiry, auditing is also an excellent means of organizing data, thus promoting theorizing and identification of relationships in that data. Each section includes exercises designed both to encoura




Evaluation for the Real World


Book Description

This valuable book examines the development of evaluation and its impact on public policy by analysing evaluation frameworks and criteria which are available when evaluating public policies and services.




The SAGE Dictionary of Qualitative Inquiry


Book Description

This Fourth Edition of Thomas A. Schwandt’s one-of-a-kind guide to the terms and phrases that help shape the origins, purpose, logic, meaning, and methods of the practices known as qualitative inquiry features 20 additional terms as well as a restructured Reader’s Guide. Key references have been updated and select terms and phrases from previous editions have been reorganized and greatly expanded. Together, the dictionary entries provide a guide to the methodological and epistemological concepts and theoretical orientations of qualitative inquiry. This unique resource is ideal for readers who are navigating various perspectives on qualitative inquiry, working on a qualitative dissertation, or are launching their own investigations into the issues covered.




Resources for Nursing Research


Book Description

′The 4th edition of this extensive text is an outstanding resource prepared by nurses (and a librarian) for nurses. In a structured and helpful style it presents thousands of items from the literature - published papers, reports, books and electronic resources - as a clear, accessible, and most of all useful collection. The efforts to signpost and lead the reader to the sought-for information are effective and well-conceived, and the "How to use this book" section is remarkably simple...the book should be found in every nursing and health library, every research institute and centre, and close to many career researchers′ desks′ - RCN Research This latest edition of Resources for Nursing Research provides a comprehensive bibliography of sources on nursing research, and includes references for books, journal papers and Internet resources. Designed to act as a ′signpost′ to available literature in the area, this Fourth Edition covers the disciplines of nursing, health care and the social sciences. Entries are concise, informative and accessible, and are arranged under three main sections: · ′Sources of Literature′ covers the process of literature searching, including using libraries and other tools for accessing literature · ′Methods of Inquiry′ includes an introduction to research, how to conceptualize and design nursing and health research, measurement and data collection, and the interpretation and presentation of data · ′The Background to Research in Nursing′ encompasses the development of nursing research; the profession′s responsibilities; the role of government; funding; research roles and careers; and education for research. Fully revised and updated, the Fourth Edition includes just under 3000 entries, of which 90% are new. It has extensive coverage of US, UK literature and other international resources. This new edition will be an essential guide for all those with an interest in nursing research, including students, teachers, librarians, practitioners and researchers.




Evaluation Forum


Book Description




Continuing Professional Development


Book Description

First Published in 2004. This text will enable teachers to analyze their own experience of in-service work. It offers tools for evaluating a focused aspect of work, and will help teachers to: explore models of in-service provision; develop understandings of professional and institutional development; develop understanding of the principles of appraisal and review; review and describe their own in-service work; develop and apply criteria for evaluating the quality and value of in-service work; and identify appropriate areas for future in-service work. The book will be particularly useful to teachers and heads, and will be of interest to all those responsible for managing professional development at school.




Qualitative and Mixed Methods in Public Health


Book Description

Designed to meet the needs of public health students, practitioners, and researchers, this edition offers a firm grounding in qualitative and mixed methods, including their social science roots and public health applications.




Evaluating Development Effectiveness


Book Description

Practitioners give insights on building and satisfying demand for evaluation in developing countries and on the use of evaluation findings to improve decision making on development policies and programs." "This volume offers useful insights into methods for evaluating the effectiveness of development and assessing the performance of development aid and aid agencies."--BOOK JACKET.




Introduction to Research Methods in Education


Book Description

Based on Keith Punch’s bestselling Introduction to Social Research Methods, this book introduces the research process in a range of educational contexts. In this updated second edition, you’ll find guidance on every stage of research, with chapters on developing research questions, doing a literature review, collecting data, analysing your findings and writing it all up. With a new chapter on ethics and additional coverage of Internet research and mixing methods, the second edition contains everything you’ll need if you’re studying on a research methods course or doing a research project for yourself. Introduction to Research Methods in Education provides you with: Balanced coverage of the range of methods employed by educational researchers Practical advice on collecting and analysing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods data A range of examples from student projects to show how research is done in real-life educational settings A companion website with additional resources for lecturers and students. Keith F Punch is Emeritus Professor in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Western Australia. Alis Oancea is Professor of Philosophy of Education and Research Policy, as well as Director of Research at the University of Oxford, Department of Education.




Survey Research Methods


Book Description

Preface 1 Introduction Reasons for Surveys The Components of Surveys Purposes and Goals of This Text 2 Sampling The Sample Frame Selecting a One-Stage Sample Multistage Sampling Making Estimates From Samples and Sampling Errors How Big Should a Sample Be? Sampling Error as a Component of Total Survey Error Exercise 3 Nonresponse: Implementing a Sample Design Calculating Response Rates Bias Associated With Nonresponse Reducing Nonresponse in Telephone or Personal Interview Surveys Reducing Nonresponse to Mail Surveys Reducing Nonresponse to Internet Surveys Multimode Data Collection Correcting for Nonresponse Nonprobability (or Modified Probability) Samples Nonresponse as a Source of Error Exercise 4 Methods of Data Collection Major Issues in Choosing a Strategy Summary Comparison of Methods Conclusion Exercise 5 Designing Questions to Be Good Measures Increasing the Reliability of Answers Avoiding Multiple Questions Types of Measures/Types of Questions Increasing the Validity of Factual Reporting Increasing the Validity of Answers Describing Subjective States Question Design and Error Exercises 6 Evaluating Survey Questions and Instruments Defining Objectives Preliminary Question Design Steps Presurvey Evaluation Design, Format, and Layout of Survey Instruments Field Pretests Survey Instrument Length Conclusion Exercise 7 Survey Interviewing Overview of Interviewer Job Interviewer Recruitment and Selection Training Interviewers Supervision Survey Questions Interviewing Procedures Validation of Interviews The Role of Interviewing in Survey Error Exercise 8 Preparing Survey Data for Analysis Formatting a Data File Constructing a Code Approaches to Coding and Data Entry Data Cleaning Coding and Data Reduction as Sources of Errors in Surveys 9 Ethical Issues in Survey Research Informing Respondents Protecting Respondents Benefits to Respondents Ethical Responsibilities to Interviewers Conclusion 10 Providing Information About Survey Methods Exercise 11 Survey Error in Perspective The Concept of Total Survey Design Error in Perspective Conclusion References Index About the Author.




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