Professional Development

Focusing an Evaluation

Explains the different purposes and types of program evaluation; identifies various levels of evaluation outcomes.

Web Resources

  • Walker, R., & Wiseman, M. (2006). Managing evaluations. In I. F. Shaw, J. C. Greene, and M. M. Mark (Eds.) The sage handbook of evaluation (pp. 360-383). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. University of Wisconsin Extension. (2008). Logic model evaluation. Retrieved from www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodel.html 

Print Resources

  • Baumberger, M., Rugh, J., & Mabry, L. (2006). First clarify the purpose: scoping the evaluation. Real world evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Davidson, E. J. (2005). What is evaluation, defining the purpose of the evaluation, identifying evaluation criteria, organizing the criteria and identifying potential sources of evidence. In Evaluation methodology basics: the nuts and bolts of sound evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Henderson, K. A., & Bialeschki, M. D. (2002). Evaluating leisure services: making enlightened decisions. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
  • McLaughlin, J. A., & Jordan, G. B. (2004). Using logic models. In J. S Wholey, H. P. Hatry, and K. E. Newcomb (Eds.) Handbook of practical program evaluation (2nd Ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.
  • Mertens, D. M. (2005). Evaluation. In Research and evaluation in education and psychology: integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Patton, M. Q. (1997). Focusing evaluations: choices, options, and decisions. In Utilization-focused evaluation: the new century text (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Preskill, H., & Russ-Eft, D. (2005). Focusing the evaluation. In Building evaluation capacity: 72 activities for teaching and training. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2004). Identifying issues and formulating questions, an overview of program evaluation, tailoring evaluations. In Evaluation: a systematic approach (7th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Stecher, B. M., & Davis, W. A. (1987). Thinking about the focusing process, thinking about client concerns and evaluation approaches, how to formulate an evaluation plan. In How to focus a program evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Taylor-Powell, E., Steele, S., & Douglah, M. (1996). Planning a program evaluation. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Publication G3658-1.
  • Building Evaluation Capacity: How do I do it? Geared toward evaluators without much capacity building experience, this webinar provides an overview of evaluation capacity building (ECB). Included is an overview of ECB practice, tips for success based on the presenters experience as an evaluation capacity builder over the past 11 years, and specific methods and tools for ECB.