User-friendly Handbook for Mixed Method Evaluations


Book Description

In the evaluation of the process and effectiveness of projects funded by the NSF's Directorate for Education, experienced evaluators have found that most often the best results are achieved through the use of mixed method evaluations combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Aimed at users who need practical rather than technically sophisticated advice about evaluation methodology, this handbook includes an in-depth discussion of the collection and analysis of qualitative data and examines how qualitative techniques can be combined effectively with quantitative measures. Bibliography. Glossary. Worksheets.




School, Family, and Community Partnerships


Book Description

Strengthen programs of family and community engagement to promote equity and increase student success! When schools, families, and communities collaborate and share responsibility for students′ education, more students succeed in school. Based on 30 years of research and fieldwork, the fourth edition of the bestseller School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, presents tools and guidelines to help develop more effective and more equitable programs of family and community engagement. Written by a team of well-known experts, it provides a theory and framework of six types of involvement for action; up-to-date research on school, family, and community collaboration; and new materials for professional development and on-going technical assistance. Readers also will find: Examples of best practices on the six types of involvement from preschools, and elementary, middle, and high schools Checklists, templates, and evaluations to plan goal-linked partnership programs and assess progress CD-ROM with slides and notes for two presentations: A new awareness session to orient colleagues on the major components of a research-based partnership program, and a full One-Day Team Training Workshop to prepare school teams to develop their partnership programs. As a foundational text, this handbook demonstrates a proven approach to implement and sustain inclusive, goal-linked programs of partnership. It shows how a good partnership program is an essential component of good school organization and school improvement for student success. This book will help every district and all schools strengthen and continually improve their programs of family and community engagement.




The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation


Book Description

In this comprehensive handbook, an examination of the complexities of contemporary evaluation contributes to the ongoing dialogue that arises in professional efforts to evaluate people-related programs, policies, and practices. The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation is a unique and authoritative resource consisting of 25 chapters covering a range of evaluation theories and techniques in a single, accessible volume. With contributions from world-leading figures in their fields overseen by an eminent international editorial board, this handbook is an extensive and user-friendly resource.




Creative Evaluation


Book Description

Creative Evaluation is both entertaining and stimulating reading for the practising evaluator looking for fruitful new ways of approaching evaluation research, training and consultation. The author's basic themes include the necessity for evaluators to recognize the limitations of routine response patterns, the value of situational responsiveness and the need to test new approaches and perspectives. Patton lets readers discover their own creative potential by guiding them towards expanding their options through a new awareness of the standard operating procedures evaluators fall back on and their usual way of doing things. This revised second edition is geared more closely to the professional evaluator than the first edition.




Social Science Research


Book Description

This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.




Impact Evaluation in Practice, Second Edition


Book Description

The second edition of the Impact Evaluation in Practice handbook is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to impact evaluation for policy makers and development practitioners. First published in 2011, it has been used widely across the development and academic communities. The book incorporates real-world examples to present practical guidelines for designing and implementing impact evaluations. Readers will gain an understanding of impact evaluations and the best ways to use them to design evidence-based policies and programs. The updated version covers the newest techniques for evaluating programs and includes state-of-the-art implementation advice, as well as an expanded set of examples and case studies that draw on recent development challenges. It also includes new material on research ethics and partnerships to conduct impact evaluation. The handbook is divided into four sections: Part One discusses what to evaluate and why; Part Two presents the main impact evaluation methods; Part Three addresses how to manage impact evaluations; Part Four reviews impact evaluation sampling and data collection. Case studies illustrate different applications of impact evaluations. The book links to complementary instructional material available online, including an applied case as well as questions and answers. The updated second edition will be a valuable resource for the international development community, universities, and policy makers looking to build better evidence around what works in development.




Strategies for E-Learning in Teaching English as a Foreign Language


Book Description

This book addresses the urgent need for insights into integrating digital technologies in EFL teaching. The book explores strategies for leveraging e-learning tools to enhance language learning experiences. Methodologically, it synthesizes existing literature, incorporates case studies, and gathers insights from interviews with experienced EFL instructors. Key findings highlight the effectiveness of digital strategies in promoting language acquisition, engagement, and interactivity. However, limitations include challenges related to technology access and varying digital literacy levels among students. The book’s impact lies in reshaping EFL pedagogy by bridging traditional methods with contemporary digital resources. The contribution to research is evident in synthesizing current scholarship and identifying emerging trends in digital language education. Practitioners benefit from practical applications, fostering innovation in teaching approaches. “Digital Pathways in English Pedagogy” is a valuable resource fostering a paradigm shift in EFL instruction by embracing the transformative potential of digital technologies.




Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research


Book Description

This handbook series provides a compendium of literature reviews on a wide array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of research findings on a selected topic, critiques the research literature, and sets forth an agenda for future research. Coverage focuses on twelve general areas that encompass the salient dimensions of scholarly and policy inquiries undertaken in the international community.




Qualitative Data Analysis


Book Description

Qualitative Data Analysis shows that learning how to analyse qualitative data by computer can be fun. Written in a stimulating style, with examples drawn mainly from every day life and contemporary humour, it should appeal to a wide audience.