A Tree: Planted and Growing

Background: Evaluation theory classification systems have been developed since the field’s early stages of theory development. Many have been published with the goal of promoting further understanding of the ways in which theoretical ideas relate both philosophically and in practice. This intends to promote a better understanding of the development and evolution of one of the classification systems, the Evaluation Theory, developed by Alkin and Christie first in the late 1990s and is in its most recent version, published in 2023. Purpose: This paper shares the primary purpose for developing the Evaluation Theory Tree, our analytic process for developing the categorization system presented as a tree, and how and why the tree has evolved over the years since its first publication

The 2004 Claremont Debate: Lipsey vs. Scriven

While there is little disagreement about the need for, and value of, program evaluation, there remain major disagreements in the field about best practices (Donaldson & Lipsey, in press). For example, Donaldson and Scriven (2003) invited a diverse group of evaluators to Claremont in 2001 to share their visions for “how we should practice evaluation” in the new millennium. Theorists and practitioners discussed a wide range of views and evaluation approaches, many at odds with one another, on how best to improve evaluation practice (e.g., the experimental paradigm, evaluation as a transdiscipline, results-oriented management, empowerment evaluation, fourth generation evaluation, inclusive evaluation, theory-driven evaluation and the like). In response to some of the heated exchanges, Mark (2003) noted “it seems ironic when evaluators who espouse inclusion, empowerment, and participation would like to exclude, disempower, and see no participation by evaluators who hold different views.” Hefurther concluded that whatever peace has been achieved in the so-call quantitative-qualitative paradigm wars remains an uneasy peace

The Universal Story: Coming-of-Age In Contemporary Animation

Cycles is a 3D animated short film about a father who struggles to keep up with his daughter as she races through life. Whereas most coming-of-age films focus solely on the journey of the adolescent, Cycles subverts the expectations of the genre by exploring the impact growing up has on both the parent and child in tandem. As a film, Cycles relies on the careful and deliberate use of tropes, informed character and environment design, and established cinematic devices to support the story\u27s theme of accepting change. Though my personal experience inspired this film, it evolved into a contemporary and universal example of the coming-of-age genre through iteration and thorough research. While viewing Cycles, I invite the audience to reflect upon their own experiences with maturation, growth, and familial conflict. To view the film, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ag9Ib1rjU

What Is This Thing Called Evaluation Theory?

Background: Evaluation theory has and continues to play an important role in the practice and profession of evaluation. Over the years, and as the range of evaluation theories has continued to grow, evaluation scholars and practitioners have developed various visualized classification frameworks of evaluation theory, invoking images such as trees, rivers, the periodic table, metro maps, concept maps, and most recently gardens. Purpose: The purpose of this special issue is to explore different visualizations of evaluation theory and to discuss their benefits and implications for the practice and profession of evaluation. Setting: Not applicable. Intervention: Not applicable.  Research Design: Not applicable.  Data Collection and Analysis: Not applicable. Findings: Not applicable. Keywords: Evaluation theory, data visualization, research on evaluation, teaching evaluatio

Class, gender and Christianity in Edinburgh 1850-1905: a study in denominationalism

This thesis examines the relationship between denominational affiliation, class and gender in the city of Edinburgh between 1850 and 1905. The period was chosen because socially it was a time of transition from a semi-rural economy to one of rapid population growth, urbanisation and economic diversification. Account has also been taken of the political context, as ministers and elders, especially from dissenting congregations, played a leading role in the movements for social and political reform, both locally and nationally. In ecclesiastical terms, the Established Church of Scotland was recovering from the effects of the Disruption of 1843, which had broken up the unity of the Church and led to intense inter-denominational strife. Towards the end of the period, the first steps leading to Presbyterian reunion were under way, culminating in the union of the United Presbyterian and Free Churches in 1900. This was also a time of religious revivals, first from 1858-60, then with Moody and Sankey, especially their first campaign in 1873-74. The so-called ‘Welsh’ revival of 1905 also impacted on some Edinburgh churches. The thesis also brings out the close links between these revival movements and social welfare concern among church members. Although Presbyterianism was the dominant form of church government in Scotland, other denominations also played their part in the religious life of the city. In the social analysis of congregations, special attention is given to a comparison of contrasting pairs of churches. St. Stephen’s Church of Scotland in the northern New Town is compared with Free St. George’s at the West End. Two Congregational churches, Augustine and Brighton Street, while near neighbours, had a different ethos, with the latter being more aggressively evangelical. Finally, two Baptist churches are examined. Bristo Place, the original Scotch Baptist church, had a plurality of elders or lay pastors, while Charlotte Chapel was founded on ‘English’ lines with one full-time minister. The memberships of these six churches are analysed to ascertain whether particular denominations appealed to different social groups. An important part of my thesis is the position of the poor, who have often been regarded as lacking interest in religion. I will show that, contrary to this perception, many indeed were Christian but preferred to worship in their own environment, attending mission halls rather than the fashionable city churches. These missions were usually operated as evangelical outreach from large charges, with some later becoming independent from the mother church, and calling their own minister. However, they remained firmly based in their own localities. In this way class divisions, which were such a hallmark of Edinburgh, were preserved. Two missions operated on a non-denominational basis, drawing practical and financial support from many different churches. Carrubber’s Close Mission in the High Street worked in the poorest district, while the Edinburgh City Mission operated across the city. These missions were examples of Christianity in action as they sought to improve the social and moral conditions of the poor

Choosing an Evaluation Theory: A Supplement to Evaluation Roots (3rd Edition)

Background: Unlike scientific theories, evaluation theories are prescriptive: a set of actions and approaches that should be followed when conducting an evaluation. While evaluation theorists have offered a variety of writings describing their theories and approaches, few have offered a specific outline of what the theory looks like in practice. Thus, Alkin and Christie formulated a book to aid evaluators in how to apply theories in evaluations (Alkin & Christie, forthcoming). This book culminates in a series of prototypes that outline each theory’s goals, appropriate contexts, prescriptions, and observable actions in application. Purpose: In order to aid evaluators in applying theories, this article seeks to provide a basis for comparison that can be used to help evaluators select which theory would be most appropriate in their practice. Setting: This comparison can be applied in any setting where evaluations fit the context prescribed by each of the theories. Intervention: Not applicable. Research Design: Not applicablre. Data Collection and Analysis: Not applicable. Findings: In order for theories to influence practice effectively, theories must be displayed in a way that allows for easy comparison. This comparison of three theory prototypes demonstrates that prototypes can be an effective way for selecting a prescriptive theory when conducting an evaluation. Keywords: prescriptive theories; practice; empowerment evaluation; learning centered model; developmental evaluatio

Can Public Child Welfare Help to Prevent Child Maltreatment? Promising Findings from Los Angeles

This article describes promising findings from the Los Angeles County Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project, a systems change approach to developing relationships between public child welfare, allied public agencies, and community-based networks that offer family-centered services, economic assistance and capacity building to support all kinds of families. It describes the conceptual underpinnings and unique structure of the initiative, the evaluation methods used to assess results, and a pattern of promising results