The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
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Reflecting on the Past and Future of Evaluation
This tenth-year-anniversary-issue of The Evaluation Exchange features reflections on some of the trends (both good and bad) that have occurred in the evaluation field over the past decade. Authors consider the “best of the worst”evaluator practices, changes in university-based evaluation training, and the development of evaluation as a discipline. In recognition of the need to look ahead, other articles introduce themes we will address in greater depth in the future, such as international evaluation, technology, evaluation of the arts, and diversity.
Free. 20 Pages.
From the Director's Desk
An introduction to the issue on Reflecting on the Past and Future of Evaluation by HFRP's Founder & Director, Heather B. Weiss, Ed.D.
Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going: Experts Reflect and Look Ahead
Six experts share their thoughts on how the evaluation field has changed in the past decade and consider what may be in store for the future.
Michael Scriven on the Differences Between Evaluation and Social Science Research
Michael Scriven, author of Evaluation Thesaurus, talks about how evaluation has evolved into a discipline distinct from social science research.
Looking the Enemy in the Eye: Gazing Into the Mirror of Evaluation Practice
David Chavis outlines the "best of the worst" evaluator practices that impede building good relationships with evaluation consumers.
A Decade of International Trends in Evaluation
Craig Russon of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation describes efforts to connect evaluation organizations around the world to form an international community.
Using Narrative Methods to Link Program Evaluation and Organization Development
Charles McClintock, Dean of the Fielding Graduate Institute's School of Human and Organization Development, shows how narrative methods can aid program evaluation and organization development.
A Conversation With Ricardo Millett
Ricardo Millett from the Woods Fund of Chicago discusses how evaluators can build capacity by addressing issues of diversity and multiculturalism.
An Update on University-Based Evaluation Training
Molly Engle and James Altschuld reveal some recent trends in university-based evaluation training.
The Success Case Method: Finding Out What Works
Tezeta Tulloch from Harvard Family Research Project reviews Robert Brinkerhoff's, The Success Case Method: Find Out Quickly What's Working and What's Not.
Evaluation Strategies to Support Policymaking in Learning Technology
Geneva Haertel and Barbara Means of SRI International suggest ways evaluators and policymakers can work together to produce “usable knowledge” of technology’s effects on learning.
Transforming School Culture Through the Arts
J. Curtis Jones from the Partnership for Whole School Change in Boston describes a performing arts intervention that integrates program concepts into its evaluation.
New & Noteworthy
A list of organizations and initiatives related to the issue's theme of Reflecting on the Past and Future of Evaluation.
Xavier de Souza Briggs on Community Building
Xavier de Souza Briggs, founder of the Art and Science of Community Problem-Solving Project at Harvard University, discusses the limitations and possibilities of using evaluation to improve community building.
Xavier de Souza Briggs on Community Building: Expanded Web Only Version
Xavier de Souza Briggs, founder of the Art and Science of Community Problem-Solving Project at Harvard University, discusses the limitations and possibilities of using evaluation to improve community building in an expanded web only version of the printed article.
Evaluating Community-Based Initiatives
Many lessons have been learned during the past decade of community building; this issue of The Evaluation Exchange explores many of these lessons and their implications. Articles by experienced and insightful authors discuss a number of critical issues now surfacing in this field, including innovations in community-building evaluation, the role of cultural competency in community-based research and evaluation, and how evaluators and funders can better build on the evaluation and learning approaches that community-based organizations already use to improve their work.
Free. 20 Pages.
New & Noteworthy
A list of new resources on the evaluation of community-building efforts, including reports, tools, and organizations of interest.
New & Noteworthy: Expanded Web Only Version
This web only version of the New & Noteworthy section features an expanded list of new resources on the evaluation of community-building efforts, including reports, tools, and organizations of interest.
From the Director's Desk
An introduction to the issue on Evaluating Community-Based Initiatives by HFRP's Founder & Director, Heather B. Weiss, Ed.D.
Sustainability: Does Evaluation Have a Role?
Julia Coffman and Marielle Bohan-Baker of HFRP offer ideas for how evaluation can ensure that initiative stakeholders discuss sustainability before it is too late to be useful.
Using Geographic Data for Neighborhood Revitalization
Josh Kirschenbaum and Victor Rubin from PolicyLink discuss the uses of community mapping.
Hand in Hand—Evaluation and Organizational Development
Andrew Mott, Director of the Community Learning Project and former Executive Director of the Center for Community Change, on the importance of building on grassroots approaches to assessment and learning.
Facing the Challenge of Evaluating a Complex, Multi-Site Initiative
Beth Weitzman and Diana Silver from New York University’s Center for Health and Public Service Research share their experience integrating a comparison group design into a theory of change approach.
Community Youth as Evaluators
Christopher Wimer reflects on the role youth can play in evaluation.
A Conversation with Prudence Brown
Prudence Brown from the Program on Philanthropy and Community Change at the Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago, talks to HFRP about new approaches to community initiatives and the role of philanthropy in community change.