Edward Elgar Publishing Handbook on Evaluation

In this Handbook, Reinhard Stockmann and other esteemed experts in the field provide a systematic and comprehensive exploration into the planning, process, implementation and utilisation of evaluations. Covering the process and individual steps of evaluation in detail, in chronological order and in terms of practical application, this Handbook identifies the characteristics and standards that distinguish a professionally and competently conducted evaluation. The first chapters define the differing concepts of monitoring and quality management before exploring the organisational implementation of evaluations and how evaluations are embedded within their social and political contexts. The Handbook then lays out which evaluation designs, quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, measurement and analysis methods can be used, and under which conditions. It concludes with a summary of the forms of reporting to ensure that evaluation results are used optimally. A thorough overview of the dynamic and evolving field of evaluation, this Handbook is beneficial to students and scholars looking to innovate their research methods and evaluation techniques across public and social policy. It will also be valuable to those who conduct evaluations themselves, as well as decision-makers who commission evaluations, clients and users of evaluations and those who are evaluated.