"This book is the best I've ever read detailing a practical theory of evaluation. It is comprehensive, beautifully written, and makes sense of the evaluation enterprise. It does so by emphasizing the major function of evaluation as sense-making about policies and programs."
--Thomas D. Cook, professor, sociology, psychology, education, and public policy, Northwestern University
Programs that serve the needs of the public continually face changes brought by social, political, and economic forces. To survive these changes, organizations must evaluate their programs wisely and realistically. This book offers a new approach to evaluation, one that will encourage all kinds of organizations and agencies to improve their contributions to social betterment. The authors draw from three decades of evaluation practice and theory to present their own framework for conceptualizing evaluation and for pragmatically assessing social policies and programs.
To build knowledge and expertise for future programs
For the practitioner, these purposes help define the approach and methods for an evaluation. The authors also enrich their discussion with four possible modes of inquiry: description, classification, causal analysis, and values inquiry. Filled with tables, charts, and figures, this resource invites organizations to make the most appropriate programming decisions based on thoughtful and systematic methods. Evaluation: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Guiding, and Improving Policies and Programs is a tool that scholars can use to rejuvenate their view of evaluation and that practitioners can use to integrate the best techniques with a contemporary understanding of social policy and change.
Customer Reviews:
A Primer for sorting out conceptual muddles in the field.......2004-01-22
Amidst a burgeoning growth industry in policy evaluation, characterized by a plethora of approaches and non-standard language usage, editors of two prominent evaluation journals join forces with a third colleague to provide an overview and an inclusive framework that differentiates in simple language, major approaches taken to policy and program evaluation to date.
Beginning with a core definition of evaluation as assisted sense-making whose ultimate objective is social betterment, the authors distinguish four purposes of evaluation: (1) assessment of merit and worth (2) program and organizational improvement, (3) oversight and compliance, and (4) knowledge development. Conceptual clarity over purpose(s) helps avoid muddles encountered in everyday arenas of evaluation and is directly pertinent to modes of inquiry appropriate to those purposes. In the second section of the book the authors distinguish four types of evaluative inquiry and discuss how to plan corresponding evaluative methods appropriate to the purpose(s) at hand. With a view toward conceptual coherence, they spend a chapter grounding their conception of evaluation as assisted sense-making in a philosophy of common sense realism. The third and final section of the book then considers closely, uses and challenges for each of these four modes of evaluative inquiry and devotes one chapter to each: (1) "Description," (2) "Classification," (3) "Causal Analysis," and (4) "Values Inquiry." In so doing, the authors contribute toward enhanced clarity in the "evaluation jungle" at significant levels of analysis and deliver what they promise in simple common sense language: an integrated framework for understanding, guiding, and improving public and nonprofit policies and programs.
My only reservation is related to what in content is also a strength. Rich in academic references, with an adaptation in format, these references could have better been placed in endnotes rather than parentheses. This would have facilitated reading flow. The decision to keep a format that is probably more useful in journals than books accounts for a one star deduction and four star rating.
A solid well-grounded theoretical analysis that will help those engaged in policy/program evaluation sort out a lot of muddles ahead of time rather than unnecessarily being caught in the mire. Another indication that, while good theory will never get as far as accounting for all the exigencies in a complex world, good theory is helpful in avoiding unnecessary confusions and many commonplace and wholly predictable errors in advance. Highly recommended.
Aimed at both practitioners and academics.......2003-08-23
This book serves two purposes. It is a comprehensive text on evaluation aimed at both practitioners and academics, but most importantly, it is a treatise aimed at introducing a new evaluation framework. It is a textbook with a point of view. The authors begin with the premise that the fundamental purpose of evaluation is social betterment, which is "...the reduction or prevention of social problems, the improvement of social conditions, and the alleviation of human suffering." From these roots, they build a new `realistic' evaluation framework. Although aimed primarily at public and non-profit organizations, many of the lessons can be applied in the private sector as well.
Part one examines why one would want to do an evaluation in the first place. The authors purport that evaluation is a fundamental part of the democratic process because it is crucial in informing policy and decision makers about the effectiveness of public policy and programs. The book reviews the four purposes of evaluation (assessment of merit and worth, program and organizational improvement, oversight and compliance, and knowledge development) and introduces the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). The authors provide extensive coverage and a critique of the academic debates concerning purposes, modes and methodology. This leads to the proposal of a realistic philosophy, which aims to move beyond traditional paradigm silos. The authors argue that by focusing on the ultimate goal of social betterment and by seeking to surface underlying values, it is possible to follow a path that tailors methodology to intended purpose.
Part two covers evaluation planning and begins the practical application part of the book. Different evaluation purposes become paramount and are more aptly suited, depending on the environment (stable, competitive, shifts in funding or new policy/program). Choosing appropriate methodology and evaluation extensiveness (i.e. quality) is aided by an understanding of primary and secondary evaluation purposes; the book provides decision-making matrices as well as many examples and references. The authors expand on their notion of a `common-sense realistic' philosophy and provide an extensive overview of the supporting principles. It is a philosophy underlined by the notion of evaluation as `assisted sensemaking' that aims to build upon and extend natural human perceptual processes. In practice, it is flexible, antiformalist and rejects the fact-value and qualitative-quantitative dichotomies. In short, it aims to do what works in a given situation and contributes the most to social betterment.
Part three provides extensive detail on the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). Each chapter provides a complete overview: detailed arguments about how the selected mode can be used to support the four evaluation purposes, examples of specific evaluation methodology, interactions, notable caveats and pitfalls and an overview of critical opinion. The sections on classification and causal analysis are especially extensive, full of detailed methodology and references to external sources. The authors expand on the notion of how values inquiry can be critical in a complementary role with other modes.
The authors conclude with a statement that the field of evaluation is "...moving towards yet another rite of passage." They argue that evaluators need "...to take their proper place in the policy community" and they must become "...shameless in broadly spreading their findings...." They make a final argument in support of their realistic philosophy.
The book is often dense with citations, making for difficult reading at times. In places, especially in part one, the level of detail is far beyond that needed by the average practitioner. However, this would seem to suit the academic audience, who would find the sections devoted to methodology (aimed at practitioners) unnecessary. It seems a happy compromise. Name and subject indexes facilitate use of the book as a reference text. A thorough bibliography points the reader to external sources. It is a text thoroughly worth the attention of anyone interested in the field of evaluation.
Aimed at both practitioners and academics.......2003-08-23
This book serves two purposes. It is a comprehensive text on evaluation aimed at both practitioners and academics, but most importantly, it is a treatise aimed at introducing a new evaluation framework. It is a textbook with a point of view. The authors begin with the premise that the fundamental purpose of evaluation is social betterment, which is "...the reduction or prevention of social problems, the improvement of social conditions, and the alleviation of human suffering." From these roots, they build a new `realistic' evaluation framework. Although aimed primarily at public and non-profit organizations, many of the lessons can be applied in the private sector as well.
Part one examines why one would want to do an evaluation in the first place. The authors purport that evaluation is a fundamental part of the democratic process because it is crucial in informing policy and decision makers about the effectiveness of public policy and programs. The book reviews the four purposes of evaluation (assessment of merit and worth, program and organizational improvement, oversight and compliance, and knowledge development) and introduces the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). The authors provide extensive coverage and a critique of the academic debates concerning purposes, modes and methodology. This leads to the proposal of a realistic philosophy, which aims to move beyond traditional paradigm silos. The authors argue that by focusing on the ultimate goal of social betterment and by seeking to surface underlying values, it is possible to follow a path that tailors methodology to intended purpose.
Part two covers evaluation planning and begins the practical application part of the book. Different evaluation purposes become paramount and are more aptly suited, depending on the environment (stable, competitive, shifts in funding or new policy/program). Choosing appropriate methodology and evaluation extensiveness (i.e. quality) is aided by an understanding of primary and secondary evaluation purposes; the book provides decision-making matrices as well as many examples and references. The authors expand on their notion of a `common-sense realistic' philosophy and provide an extensive overview of the supporting principles. It is a philosophy underlined by the notion of evaluation as `assisted sensemaking' that aims to build upon and extend natural human perceptual processes. In practice, it is flexible, antiformalist and rejects the fact-value and qualitative-quantitative dichotomies. In short, it aims to do what works in a given situation and contributes the most to social betterment.
Part three provides extensive detail on the four inquiry modes (description, classification, causal analysis and values inquiry). Each chapter provides a complete overview: detailed arguments about how the selected mode can be used to support the four evaluation purposes, examples of specific evaluation methodology, interactions, notable caveats and pitfalls and an overview of critical opinion. The sections on classification and causal analysis are especially extensive, full of detailed methodology and references to external sources. The authors expand on the notion of how values inquiry can be critical in a complementary role with other modes.
The authors conclude with a statement that the field of evaluation is "...moving towards yet another rite of passage." They argue that evaluators need "...to take their proper place in the policy community" and they must become "...shameless in broadly spreading their findings...." They make a final argument in support of their realistic philosophy.
The book is often dense with citations, making for difficult reading at times. In places, especially in part one, the level of detail is far beyond that needed by the average practitioner. However, this would seem to suit the academic audience, who would find the sections devoted to methodology (aimed at practitioners) unnecessary. It seems a happy compromise. Name and subject indexes facilitate use of the book as a reference text. A thorough bibliography points the reader to external sources. It is a text thoroughly worth the attention of anyone interested in the field of evaluation.
Book Description
This guide to generalist social work practice provides students with the introductory knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals, groups, communities, and organizations. It explores the links between micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice and is organized around the authors' Generalist Intervention Model, a coherent and cohesive practice model.
Customer Reviews:
Exhaustive detail.......2001-05-19
This book is certainly very complete and authoritative; but it goes into such extreme detail that it is tedious to read. My classmates and I soon fell behind in our reading assignments because the chapters seem to go on forever and the organization of the chapters is not very clear. It tends to seem like pages and pages of similar details. The book could be greatly improved by highlighting important concepts and definitions, a more visually identifiable hierarchy of sub-headings, and concise chapter summaries. The diagrams that explain the generalist intervention model, however, are excellent, and I still have them in my mind's eye for reference, even after finishing the course.
Excellent and practical text for social work students.......1999-03-17
I am a fourth year social work student at Ryerson Polytechnic Universtity. I just finished a 22 page essay, and used the generalist intervention model as the theoretical framework. Highly recommend!
Book Description
Help your students understand the mysteries of human behavior with Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman's text. Now available with a personalized online learning plan, this social work-specific book looks at lifespan through the lens of social work theory and practice. The authors use an empowerment approach to cover human development and behavior theories within the context of family, organizational, and community systems. Using a chronological lifespan approach, the authors present separate chapters on biological, psychological, and social impacts at the different lifespan stages with an emphasis on strengths and empowerment.
Customer Reviews:
Promoting a Political Agenda.......2007-09-22
This text exposes a political agenda citing "facts" without supporting evidence. Too many examples exist to enumerate but as an example p 206 states that the Justice system in America is an oxymoron since African Americans represent 12% of the population and comprise 50% of the incarcerated population. If this is due to a racist justice system the text certainly does not expose the underlying reasons; nor does it even cite a reference! It acknowledges, only parenthetically, that there is considerable debate as to the extent of racism vs. differential crime rates by race as accounting for the above-mentioned statistical discrepancy.
The text repeatedly emphasizes, and in fact almost singles out, that the United States is a racist country. The text, repeatedly, makes mention that Abraham Lincoln was a racist.
I would recommend 'Human Behavior in the Social Environment' by Longres as a far superior substitute.
This book should have no place in any respectable learning environment.
Book Description
Understanding Social Welfare introduces readers to the issues, historical influences, trends, methods of operation, and unresolved conflicts of American social welfare.
This well-organized, comprehensive, and scholarly book is accessible to social workers and helps them acquire the basic tools for understanding, analyzing, and evaluating social welfare policies and programs. The book focuses on the impact of social structure on people's lives, emphasizing the current concerns of a diverse client population, and incorporating the latest social welfare legislation.
For those involved with social welfare and policy.
Customer Reviews:
School Book.......2007-04-02
Arrived really quickly, just in time for school.
As to the content -- its very informative, gives an overall history and perspective of the evolution of social work in the U.S.
Book Description
Drawing from a wide selection of current research and writings, Reading Between the Lines brings together accessible readings that examine a broad range of social problems and reflect different conceptual approaches. The text provides a conceptual framework for understanding social problems and enables an integrated race, class, and gender analysis.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome service!.......2007-05-13
The seller was quick and the book came in very good condition. Keep up with good job!!
Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect (6th Edition).......2006-03-17
The book was all highlighted in certain chapters. It was false advertise like new. I wish I had spent the extra five bucks on a new one so I could made my own highlights instead of having all highlighted with different colors like in three chapters. Thank god, I only used the book twice for 2 important chapters.
Great text!.......2006-02-20
Crossan-Towers is a fabulous introduction to child abuse and neglect for undergraduates and graduates students alike.
Great!!!.......2006-02-17
The book came quickly and came in great condition! I was very happy with my purchase.
GREAT!.......2006-02-17
The book (that I received very quickly), looked like it came right off the shelf...just like new. Thank you soooooo much!
Average customer rating:
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Intimate Betrayal: Understanding and Responding to the Trauma of Acquaintance Rape
Vernon R. Wiehe , and
Ann Richards
Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Rape
| Abuse & Self Defense
| Mental Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mental Health
| Health, Mind & Body
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Interpersonal Relations
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
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General
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Social Services & Welfare
| Poverty
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
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Criminology
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
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| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
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Sociology
| Social Sciences
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| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
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| Men
| Occupational
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| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
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| Urban
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Violence in Society
| Social Sciences
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| Books
ASIN: 0803973608 |
Book Description
"Focused and timely. . . . Chapters on special issues highlight marital rape, legal factors, the recovery process, and prevention. Important factual information is interspersed with painfully graphic first-person responses from survivors. This book is an important contribution to the trauma and recovery literature." --Terry L. Sweig in READINGS: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health "This book addresses the problem of acquaintance rape and its complexity in a comprehensive manner. The book provides helpful information and treatment suggestions for those professionals who wish to know more about this important issue. It is a useful addition to the field of mental health." --Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "Spousal rape and acquaintance rape are treated in this book. It is an important text for therapists in the field." --Ron MacIssac, review in What's Happening?, Victoria, B.C. Every year thousands of women are raped by someone they know and never report the sexual assault, partly because acquaintance rape is still widely misunderstood in our society and victims are often blamed for the crime. Addressing a need to change perceptions about this type of assault, this important book informs and educates about the nature of acquaintance rape and its impact on the victim, intervention, and prevention. The chapters on intervention include material on crisis intervention, tools for effective rape counseling, and strategies for meeting the psychosocial needs of survivors who are facing long-term recovery due to previous sexual assault victimization. Survivors vividly describe the events in their own words, bringing home the horror of acquaintance rape and the immediate need for action to prevent it. The authors also offer a special chapter on marital rape to expose this long-denied and insidious form of rape. In addition, a useful review of current literature pinpoints interventions crucial to rape prevention. Intimate Betrayal is essential reading for mental health professionals; crisis centers, student services, and law enforcement personnel; pastoral counselors, legal professionals; social workers; and advanced clinical students. But in addition to the helping professionals, this memorable book provides information important to any reader interested in understanding the nature and treatment of acquaintance rape.
Customer Reviews:
Great resource for teachers and parents.......2007-05-01
I used this book as part of a training that I did for elementary teachers on invisible disablilities. I had the teachers do the assignements for children with disablities that they couldn't see. I got great reviews and I truely believe that it opened some teachers eyes to what their special students are facing on a daily basis.
Be aware of mistakes.......2004-07-22
While this book provides many good activities for teachers to use in their classroom to promote disability awareness, the authors' guidelines to use with children with disability are way off base. For example, under 'hearing loss' they suggest not to touch a hearing impaired child to get his attention so he will become conditioned to attend to your voice as a signal. While this will work for some children, it is not an appropriate suggestion for many deaf children who cannot hear anything even with hearing aids. When a mistake is made like this, it makes me reconsider the other recommended guidlines. I would highly suggest that before these guidelines are used, the reader check with the childs' parents or special education teacher to make sure they are appropriate for that child.
A useful handbook to help teachers and students............2001-03-04
This is a world where we need to understand and help those in need, especially those kids with special education needs. The book has provided many useful checklists, questionaires, and ideas to help special education teachers share some thoughts and clearify some myths with other students in class and at school. Cute comics on almost every page make it more fun to read. If you are the one who would like to give a hand to those kids with special education needs, this is the book you must have at hand!
Book Description
Psychiatrists define cruelty to animals as a psychological problem or personality disorder. Legally, animal cruelty is described by a list of behaviors. In Just a Dog, Arnold Arluke argues that our current constructs of animal cruelty are decontextualized—imposed without regard to the experience of the groups committing the act. Yet those who engage in animal cruelty have their own understandings of their actions and of themselves as actors. In this fascinating book, Arluke probes those understandings and reveals the surprising complexities of our relationships with animals.
Just a Dog draws from interviews with more than 250 people, including humane agents who enforce cruelty laws, college students who tell stories of childhood abuse of animals, hoarders who chronically neglect the welfare of many animals, shelter workers who cope with the ethics of euthanizing animals, and public relations experts who use incidents of animal cruelty for fundraising purposes. Through these case studies, Arluke shows how the meaning of "cruelty" reflects and helps to create identities and ideologies.
Book Description
This book addresses the sources of violence and its effects on people and situations. Providing different perspectives on the causes of victimization, it also discusses how violence breeds. It examines the social and environmental factors that influence victimization, offender-victim relationships, and legal and behavioral responses to victims. Topics covered in this comprehensive book include domestic violence, stranger violence, workplace violence and victimization, school violence and victimization, and criminal victimization. Providing a practical guide and legal information, this book is intended for victim services coordinators, police, domestic violence counselors, and those in the legal services profession.
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