# Evaluation Theories
## Introduction

This course will be primarily based on students notes taken at 'PSYCH 315z – Comparative Evaluation Theory' in Claremont Graduate University, and publicly available documents from 'EVAL 6000: Foundations of Evaluation' at Western Michigan University.
Week 1 has an overview of the current state of evaluation that extends into Week 2 with Weeks 2-

## Outline:

Weeks 1-2 In the first week we read William Shadish's 1998 presidential address to the American Evaluation Association (AEA), and the first chapter in Shadish, Cook, & Leviton's "Foundations of Program Evaluation: Theories of Practice". Weaknesses: See Discussion
* William Shadish's "Evaluation theory is who we are" (Article; 19 pages, 11,417 words)
* "Foundations of Program Evaluation: Theories of Practice", (Textbook; 17p,
* Introduction: Comparing evaluation points of view (Shadish, Cook, & Leviton's, 1991)
In the second week, we go through the first four chapters of Alkin's "Evaluation Roots" CH. 1 (Introduction) and Ch.2 "An evaluation theory tree," Ch. 3: "Michael S. Scriven: The science of valuing." and Foundations of Program Evaluation, Ch. 2: "Good theory for social program evaluation."
In the third week read Foundations of Program Evaluation Ch. 2, Ch. 7, and Ch. 8:
* Chapter 4: "Donald T. Campbell: Methodologist of the experimenting society." (Moved from wk.
* Ch. 7: Robert E. Stake: Responsive evaluation and qualitative methods.
* Ch. 8: Lee J. Cronbach: Functional evaluation design for a world of political accommodation.
* Week 4: Independent study on Michael Scriven, Thomas Cook, Jennifer C. Greene, David Fetterman,
* Week 5: Independent study on Patton, Cronbach, Chen, Guba & Lincoln
* Week 6: Independent study on Preskill, Greene, Guba & Lincoln, House
In the third week

## Week by Week Class Notes

* Week 1: Historical Context of Evaluation and the Role of Theory in Evaluation – Pre-Class Notes on Wk. 1
** Taxonomies of Evaluation Theory
** Why Evaluation Theory is Who We Are - William Shaddish's 1998 message to the American Evaluation Association
* Week 2: Overview of Evaluation Theory and the Evaluation Theory Tree – Pre-Class Notes Wk. 2
** The Context & History of Social Program Evaluation
* Week 3: Evaluation Theory Components
* Evaluation Theory Panels: (See the 12 Theorist Cheat Sheet)
** Week 4: Evaluation Theory Panel: Michael Scriven, Thomas Cook, Jennifer C. Greene, David Fetterman,
** Week 5: Evaluation Theory Panel: Patton, Cronbach, Chen, Guba & Lincoln
** Week 6: Evaluation Theory Panel: Preskill, Greene, Guba & Lincoln, House
* Weeks 7: Evaluation Across Disciplines (Guest speakers)
* Week 8: Midterm
* Week 9: Break.
* Week 10: Connecting Theory to Practice: The Bunche-Da Vinci Case
** Week 10: Greene, Henry, Donaldson, King Comparison - four program evaluation theorists give their hands-on account of how they would design and plan an evaluation of an educational program.
* Week 11: Contingency Theories of Evaluation
** Pre-Class Notes Wk. 11
* Week 12: Connecting Theory to Practice: Politics and Interpersonal Relationships:
** Week 12: Politics in Evaluation – Pre-Class notes Wk. 12
* Week 13: 4/16/14: Connecting Theory to Practice: Context, Culture and Ethics (TA Led)
* Week 14: 4/23/14: Evaluation Theory Development and Research on Evaluation, Guest Speaker: John LaVelle
* Week 15: 4/30/14: Credible Evidence in Evaluation and Professional Issues
** Week 15: Credible Evidence
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