You′re about to start your first evaluation project. Where do you begin? Or you′re a practicing evaluator faced with a challenging situation. How do you proceed? How do you handle the interactive components and processes inherent in evaluation practice? Use Interactive Evaluation Practice to bridge the gap between the theory of evaluation and its practice. Taking an applied approach, this book provides readers with specific interactive skills needed in different evaluation settings and contexts. The authors illustrate multiple options for developing skills and choosing strategies, systematically highlighting the evaluator′s three roles as decision maker, actor, and reflective practitioner. Case studies and interactive examples stimulate thinking about how to apply interactive skills across a variety of evaluation situations. "From beginning to end, this book is an indispensable resource for those responsible for the evaluation process. In essence, here′s a chance to learn from masters about acquiring mastery. What could be more useful?" Michael Quinn Patton, Author of Utilization-Focused Evaluation   "At long last, a book that explicitly addresses the importance of interpersonal dynamics in evaluation practice!" Hallie Preskill, Executive Director, Strategic Learning and Evaluation Center, FSG   "As an evaluator who frequently interacts with a variety of stakeholders and who provides graduate-level evaluation training, I find Interactive Evaluation Practice to be an exceptional addition to the evaluation literature and a useful guide to interacting with various stakeholder groups." Chris L. S. Coryn, Western Michigan University

Table of Contents:
About the Authors Preface Acknowledgments Part I. An Introduction to Interactive Evaluation Practice 1. Introducing Interactive Evaluation Practice 2. Framing Interactive Evaluation Practice 3. Theoretical Foundations for Interactive Evaluation Practice Part II. Skills and Strategies for Interactive Evaluation Practice 4. The Nuts and Bolts of Evaluation Conversations 5. An Evaluator′s Dozen of Interactive Strategies 6. Managing Conflict Constructively in Evaluation Settings 7. Creating a Viable Interactive Evaluation Process 8. Dealing With the Unexpected in Program Evaluation: When Bad Things Happen to Good Evaluators Part III. Teaching Cases for Bringing Interactive Evaluation Practice to Life 9. The Evaluator Is in Charge: Evaluating a Controversial Shelter Project 10. We′re in This Together: Evaluating a Remedial Math Program 11. Serving as an Evaluation Coach: Engaging Staff and Participants in Evaluating a Healthy Nutrition Program Epilogue: The End--and a Beginning Glossary Appendix A. The Program Evaluation Standards: A Guide for Evaluators and Evaluation Users (3rd Edition) Appendix B. American Evaluation Association Guiding Principles for Evaluators Appendix C. Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators Appendix D. Interactive Evaluation Practice Principles Chapter Crosswalk Appendix E. Generic Exercises for Reflecting on Interactive Evaluation Practice Case Studies References Author Index Subject Index