How can programs and organizations ensure they are adhering to core principles--and assess whether doing so is yielding desired results? From evaluation pioneer Michael Quinn Patton, this book introduces the principles-focused evaluation (P-FE) approach and demonstrates its relevance and application in a range of settings. Patton explains why principles matter for program development and evaluation and how they can serve as a rudder to navigate the uncertainties, turbulence, and emergent challenges of complex dynamic environments. In-depth exemplars illustrate how the unique GUIDE framework is used to determine whether principles provide meaningful guidance (G) and are useful (U), inspiring (I), developmentally adaptable (D), and evaluable (E). User-friendly features include rubrics, a P-FE checklist, firsthand reflections and examples from experienced P-FE practitioners, sidebars and summary tables, and end-of-chapter application exercises.

Table of Contents:
I. Principles: What They Are, Why They Matter, and Their Niche in Program Development and Evaluation 1. First Principles 2. Effectiveness Principles: What? Why? When? How? Who? Where? 3. Examples of Principles-Driven Change Initiatives and Programs 4. Evaluating Principles: Historical Context and Forward-Looking Challenge 5. The Niche and Nature of Principles-Focused Evaluation: Serving Diverse Purposes II. GUIDE: Criteria for Effectiveness Principles 6. GUIDE for PRINCIPLES: The Characteristics of High-Quality Effectiveness Principles G: Guidance 7. Guidance for Developing and Distinguishing Principles: Principles versus Rules, and the Alternative Principles Test 8. Referring to Something as a Principle Doesn’t Make It One: Distinguishing Effectiveness Principles 9. Still More Guidance on Developing and Distinguishing Principles: Principles Derived from and Contrasted with Assumptions, Truths, and Lessons 10. Conceptual Triangulation: Evaluating the Similarities of Parallel Principles 11. Holistic, Sequential, and Pole Star Approaches to Principles U: Useful 12. Principles Point the Way to Desired Results 13. Diverse Uses of Principles across an Organization, Nora F. Murphy & Heather Huseby 14. Evaluating the Utility of Research-Derived Principles for Enhancing Online Learning I: Inspiring 15. Inspirational Principles Are Infused with Values 16. Principles-Focused Evaluation at the Grassroots in Africa: Inspirational Examples and Reflections, John Wilson 17. Inspiring Principles: Distinguishing Overarching Principles from Operational Principles, Charmagne Campbell-Patton 18. Principles-Focused Pedagogy of Evaluation: Inspired by Freirean Pedagogy D: Developmental 19. The Developmental Nature of Effectiveness Principles: A Case Example of Adapting Principles in Practice, Yve Susskind & Peggy Holman 20. Simple Rules and Minimum Specifications: Spotlight on Complexity Concepts with Developmental Implications E: Evaluable 21. Evaluable Principles: Methods and Measures for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Principles 22. Principles-Focused Sampling 23. Rendering Judgments about the Effectiveness of Principles 24. Evaluating Principles for Evidence of Effectiveness: Three Kinds of Evidence-Based Judgments and Effective Principles in Contrast to Best Practices Summary of Parts I and II: Major Themes of Principles-Focused Evaluation III. Principles-Driven Initiatives with Principles-Focused Evaluations: Exemplars of Principles in Practice III-A.Three Levels of Principles-Based Interventions: Macro (Global), Micro (Program), and Meso (Community) 25. Principles Driving Reform: Evaluation of the Paris Declaration Principles on Aid Effectiveness 26. Discovering and ValidatingEffectiveness PrinciplestoHelp Youth Overcome Homelessness 27. Vibrant Communities Canada: A Principles-Driven Systems Change Initiative and Emergent Example of Principles-Focused Evaluation Potential Part III-B. Three Different Agriculture-Focused Initiatives 28. Collaborative Principles Supporting Shared Commitment: The Global Alliance for the Future of Food 29. Principles Enhancing Coherence: The McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program 30. Principles Defining a Field of Agroecology: How Principles Inform and GUIDE Practices IV. Principles for Evaluations and Evaluators 31. Evaluating Evaluation Principles: Examining Principles That Guide Evaluations and Evaluators 32. Outcome Harvesting Evaluation: Practical Application of Essential Principles, Ricardo Wilson-Grau 33. Reflections of a Principles-Focused Evaluator: What's in a Name?, Donna Podems 34. Waking Lumina: A Personal Principles-Based Evaluation Philosophy, Nora F. Murphy V. Principles-Focused Evaluation in Practice: Tools and Checklist 35. Tools for Principles-Focused Evaluation 36. Principles-Focused Evaluation Checklist Conclusion and Final Practice Exercise Epilogue: Eleven Questions, Eleven Principles-Focused Responses