Evaluating Social Interventions

Abstract

Although interest in evaluation research is burgeoning, there is agreement about neither the character of evaluative activities nor the technical methods used in their application. The intent of this paper is to provide a broad taxonomy of assessment activities and methodological alternatives. Based on the first-order characteristic of evaluation purpose, six assessment categories are identifted. It is argued that the choice of method should be contingent on the objective of the evaluation, and that a typology can serve as a basis for communication and assist in the choice of an appropriate methodology.

Taxonomies of Organizational Change: Literature Review and Analysis

“…Only the most prestigious of change agents can make subsequent publication a condition of involvement (Argyris, 1974). This difficulty becomes magnified when an experimental design is sought because it entails differential treatment of parts of the client system and a surrendering of considerable control to the researcher (Cook & Campbell, 1976;Perkins, 1977).…”

Standards for Organizational Consultation Assessment and Evaluation Instruments

“…In contrast, the conceptual framework proposed by Suchman (1967) argues that consultants should assess the domains of effort, performance, adequacy, and efficiency. Perkins's (1977) strategic evaluation framework focuses on the evaluation of consultation compliance, design, management, intervention, and impact. Brown et al (1987) chose to go with a simple entry, process, and outcome model in their analysis of several process-oriented assessment and evaluation tools.…”

Rural Health Service Programs

“…Also, like the literature on social program evaluation generally, this literature is characterized by disagreement about the proper functions of evaluation, about the appropriate research designs, and about what should be measured (Rossi and Wright, 1977;Perkins, 1977;Burton and Rogers, 1976;Scriven, 1967).…”