Edward Elgar Publishing Handbook of Social Policy Evaluation

This Handbook uses methodologies and cases to discover how and when to evaluate social policy, and looks at the possible impacts of evaluation on social policy decisions. The contributors present a detailed analysis on how to conduct social policy evaluation, how to be aware of pitfalls and dilemmas and how to use evidence effectively. Organized into three thematic sections, this new resource includes contributions from a variety of researchers from a range of disciplines and countries. The first section explores evaluation and examples of methods used; the second focuses on the intersection between evaluation and policy-making; and the third delves into current social policy in order to discover the use of evaluation within central welfare state policies. One conclusion found is that welfare states are increasingly using evidence, but that it varies from and within different welfare areas. Researchers and students with an interest in evaluation and social policy analysis, as well as policy-makers and administrators in need of evidence and analysis on the subject, will find much value in this clear and precise overview of the use and misuse of evidence. Review 'This book is a useful addition to the library of works relating to evaluation. It embraces a range of approaches that can be employed in undertaking evaluations, delivers a breadth of methodologies, depending on context and constituencies, and provides a wide selection of applications that will be helpful to new entrants in the field of evaluation and also to experienced practitioners.' --- Ceri J. Phillips, Swansea University, UK 'This is an important collection that carefully and critically explores the challenges researchers face in conducting social policy evaluation and gives clear guidance on the full range of different approaches along with practical examples of their use. It should be essential reading for anyone trying to evaluate social policy.' --- Ian Greener, University of Strathclyde, UK About the Author Edited by Bent Greve, Professor of Welfare State Analysis, Department of Society and Business, Roskilde University, Denmark