RealWorld evaluation : working under budget, time, data, and political constraints/ Michael Bamberger; Jim Rugh; Linda Mabry; Sage.

Part 1. The RealWorld Evaluation ApproachChapter 1. Overview: RealWorld Evaluation and the Contexts in Which It Is UsedChapter 2. [Step 1] Scoping the Evaluation: First clarify the purposeChapter 3. [Step 2] Budget Constraints: Not enough moneyChapter 4. [Step 3] Time Constraints: Addressing scheduling and other time constraintsChapter 5. [Step 4] Data Constraints: Critical information is missing or difficult to collectChapter 6. [Step 5] Addressing Political Influences: Reconciling different priorities and perspectivesChapter 7. [Step 6] Strengthening the Evaluation Design and the Validity of ConclusionsChapter 8. [Step 7] Making it Useful: Helping clients and other stakeholders use the evaluation findings and recommendationsPart 2. A Review of Evaluation Methods and Approaches and their Application in RealWorld Evaluation: For those who would like to dig deeper on particular evaluation topicsChapter 9. Ensuring competent and ethical practice in the conduct of the evaluationChapter 10. Theory-based evaluationChapter 11. Evaluation designsChapter 12. Quantitative evaluation approachesChapter 13. Qualitative evaluation approachesChapter 14. Mixed method evaluationsChapter 15. SamplingChapter 16. Evaluating complex, multi-component development interventionsPart 3. Organizing and Managing Evaluations and Strengthening Evaluation Capacity: For readers involved with the funding and management of evaluationsChapter 17. Organizing and managing evaluationsChapter 18. Strengthening evaluation capacityChapter 19. Conclusions and challenges and the road ahead

Using a tried, tested and refined approach and featuring a range of case studies, this book presents readers with an invaluable guide to undertaking effective evaluation studies.