Synopses & Reviews
Evaluation research findings should be a key element of the policymaking process, but in reality, they are often disregarded. Evaluation for the Real World examines the use—and nonuse—of evaluation research by decision makers. Analyzing the frameworks and criteria of various evaluation procedures, it highlights the impact evaluation has on public policy with an emphasis on the real world of decision making in the public sector and the political and economic pressures it faces. Assessing the work of influential academics in both the United States and UK, the authors formulate strong arguments for the adoption of a different approach to evaluation.
Review
and#8220;Provides a careful, comprehensive, and detailed history of the field . . . targeted at policy and public sector management students, academics, and practitionersand#8221;
Review
andldquo;This book provides a critical and long overdue analysis of the contribution of decades of evaluation research to policy making.and#160; The text is concise, comprehensive, objective, and eminently readable.andrdquo;
Synopsis
This valuable book examines the development of evaluation and its impact on public policy by analysing evaluation frameworks and criteria which are available when evaluating public policies and services.
Synopsis
Evaluation research findings should be a key element of the policy-making process, yet in reality they are often disregarded. This valuable book examines the development of evaluation and its impact on public policy by analysing evaluation frameworks and criteria which are available when evaluating public policies and services. It further examines the nature of evidence and its use and non-use by decision-makers and assesses the work of influential academics in the USA and UK in the context of evaluation and policy making. The book emphasises the 'real world' of decision-makers in the public sector and recognises how political demands and economic pressures can affect the decisions of those who commission evaluation research while providing recommendations for policymakers on adopting a different approach to evaluation. This is essential reading for under-graduate and post-graduate students of policy analysis and public sector management, and those who are involved in the planning and evaluation of public policies and services.
About the Author
Colin Palfreyand#160;has worked for a number of local UK authorities and several universities.
Ceri Phillipsand#160;is professor of health economics and head of research at the School of Human and Health Sciences at Swansea University.and#160;
Paul Thomasand#160;is an honorary research fellow at Swansea University, and he chairs two multi-agencyand#160;working groups on public involvement in decision-making.and#160;and#160;