This text presents a practical and tested approach of how to do case- and program-level evaluations within social service programs. It provides an unintimidating conceptual understanding of how programs can become more accountable by incorporating uncomplicated evaluation strategies into their day-to-day service delivery activities. With the above in mind, this edition has been completely updated, revised (some chapters have been totally rewritten), and re-arranged in an effort to present the essential ingredients for programs to become evidence based. The result is a text eminently suited for social work program evaluation courses, administration courses, program planning courses, and program design courses.

PART I: PREPARING FOR AN EVALUATION 1. Becoming an Evidence-Based Practitioner 2. Working Towards Evidence-Based Programs 3. Designing Evidence-Based Programs 4. Preparing for an Evaluation PART II: DOING AN EVALUATION 5. Doing a Needs Assessment 6. Doing a Process Evaluation 7. Doing an Outcome Evaluation 8. Doing an Efficiency Evaluation PART III: GATHERING DATA AND MAKING DECISIONS 9. Measuring Objectives 10. Collecting Data 11. Developing a Data Information System 12. Using Graphics to Report Evaluation Data 13. Analyzing Qualitative Data 14. Making Decisions with Data PART IV: KNOWING THE CONTEXTS OF EVALUATION 15. Managing Politics, Ethics, and Standards 16. Becoming a Culturally-Appropriate Evaluator Appendix A: Constructing Logic Models Appendix B: Data Collection Evaluation Plan Appendix C: Data Analysis Evaluation Plan