Evaluation Theories

| Completion status: this resource is ~25% complete.

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## Introduction

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This course will be primarily based on students notes taken at 'PSYCH 315z – Comparative Evaluation Theory' in Claremont Graduate University, and publicly available documents from 'EVAL 6000: Foundations of Evaluation' at Western Michigan University.

Week 1 has an overview of the current state of evaluation that extends into Week 2 with Weeks 2-

## Outline:

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Weeks 1-2 In the first week we read William Shadish's 1998 presidential address to the American Evaluation Association (AEA), and the first chapter in Shadish, Cook, & Leviton's "Foundations of Program Evaluation: Theories of Practice". Weaknesses: See Discussion

1. William Shadish's "Evaluation theory is who we are" (Article; 19 pages, 11,417 words)
2. "Foundations of Program Evaluation: Theories of Practice", (Textbook; 17p,
3. Introduction: Comparing evaluation points of view (Shadish, Cook, & Leviton's, 1991)

In the second week, we go through the first four chapters of Alkin's "Evaluation Roots" CH. 1 (Introduction) and Ch.2 "An evaluation theory tree," Ch. 3: "Michael S. Scriven: The science of valuing." and Foundations of Program Evaluation, Ch. 2: "Good theory for social program evaluation."

In the third week read Foundations of Program Evaluation Ch. 2, Ch. 7, and Ch. 8:

1. Chapter 4: "Donald T. Campbell: Methodologist of the experimenting society." (Moved from wk.
2. Ch. 7: Robert E. Stake: Responsive evaluation and qualitative methods.
3. Ch. 8: Lee J. Cronbach: Functional evaluation design for a world of political accommodation.

* Week 4: Independent study on Michael Scriven, Thomas Cook, Jennifer C. Greene, David Fetterman,
* Week 5: Independent study on Patton, Cronbach, Chen, Guba & Lincoln
* Week 6: Independent study on Preskill, Greene, Guba & Lincoln, House

In the third week

## Week by Week Class Notes

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* Week 1: Historical Context of Evaluation and the Role of Theory in Evaluation – Pre-Class Notes on Wk. 1
* Taxonomies of Evaluation Theory
* Why Evaluation Theory is Who We Are \- William Shaddish's 1998 message to the American Evaluation Association
* Week 2: Overview of Evaluation Theory and the Evaluation Theory Tree – Pre-Class Notes Wk. 2
* The Context & History of Social Program Evaluation
* Week 3: Evaluation Theory Components
* Evaluation Theory Panels: (See the 12 Theorist Cheat Sheet)
* Week 4: Evaluation Theory Panel: Michael Scriven, Thomas Cook, Jennifer C. Greene, David Fetterman,
* Week 5: Evaluation Theory Panel: Patton, Cronbach, Chen, Guba & Lincoln
* Week 6: Evaluation Theory Panel: Preskill, Greene, Guba & Lincoln, House
* Weeks 7: Evaluation Across Disciplines (Guest speakers)
* Week 8: Midterm
* Week 9: Break.
* Week 10: Connecting Theory to Practice: The Bunche-Da Vinci Case
* Week 10: Greene, Henry, Donaldson, King Comparison \- four program evaluation theorists give their hands-on account of how they would design and plan an evaluation of an educational program.
* Week 11: Contingency Theories of Evaluation
* Pre-Class Notes Wk. 11
* Week 12: Connecting Theory to Practice: Politics and Interpersonal Relationships:
* Week 12: Politics in Evaluation – Pre-Class notes Wk. 12
* Week 13: 4/16/14: Connecting Theory to Practice: Context, Culture and Ethics (TA Led)
* Week 14: 4/23/14: Evaluation Theory Development and Research on Evaluation, Guest Speaker: John LaVelle
* Week 15: 4/30/14: Credible Evidence in Evaluation and Professional Issues
* Week 15: Credible Evidence

| Educational level: this is a tertiary (university) resource.

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| Type classification: this resource is a course.

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Template:Evaluation

| Completion status: Been started, but most of the work is still to be done.

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