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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

'I especially like the depth and breadth of the book and the willingness to address the complexity of conducting quality needs assessment. It is a book that students will continue to use as they move into the professional world for years to come.'—Ellen Darden, Concord UniversityThis book takes the reader through the process of getting results utilized and then evaluating the needs assessment itself. The authors illuminate the pitfalls to avoid along the way. The text also explains where the techniques best fit into making utilization a reality.Although this book can be used in a stand-alone fashion, it is part of the Needs Assessment KIT—five interrelated and sequenced books that take the reader through the needs assessment process (ISBN: 978-0-7619-2595-8).

Involving Community Members in Focus Groups is a must for those who want to teach others to conduct focus group interviews, particularly non-researchers in communities. Authors Richard A. Krueger and Jean A. King draw upon years of experience working with communities and present practical strategies for working alongside non-researchers. Krueger and King argue that volunteers can often gather and present results more effectively than professionals; However, a critical element is how the volunteers are prepared and the manner in which they work together. This book offers countless tips, advice, and exercises for preparing people to conduct focus groups, whether you are preparing a team to conduct a community study or teaching one person to help in a study.