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Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation
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Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation



October 2017 | 224 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

In this groundbreaking first volume of SAGE's Evaluation in Practice Series, best-selling author Donna M. Mertens explores the meaning of mixed methods evaluation, its evolution over the last few decades, and the dominant philosophical frameworks that are influencing thought and practice in the field today. Four chapters explore evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions, development of instruments, systematic reviews, and policy evaluations, while an additional chapter covers evaluation approaches often required in specific contexts including gender responsive evaluations, needs assessment, and evaluations in conflict zones. Practical in nature, the book guides readers’ thinking about the design of mixed methods evaluations through the use of illustrative examples and explanations for further applications.

SAGE’s Evaluation in Practice Series offers concise, practical books for students and professionals working as evaluators.

 
Volume Editors’ Introduction
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1. Mixed Methods in Evaluation: History and Progress
History of Evaluation and Mixed Methods

 
Scope of This Book

 
Differentiating Mixed Methods Research and Mixed Methods Evaluation

 
Increased Interest in and Demand for Mixed Methods Evaluations

 
Complexity in Evaluation Contexts and the Role of Mixed Methods

 
Conceptual Framework: Paradigms and Branches of Evaluation

 
Philosophical Frames for Mixed Methods Evaluation

 
Connecting Paradigms With the Field of Evaluation

 
Overview of Mixed Methods Approaches and Purposes

 
Criteria to Judge Quality in Mixed Methods Evaluation Design

 
Summary and Moving Forward: Overview of This Book

 
 
Chapter 2. Mixed Methods Designs to Evaluate Interventions
Evaluating Interventions

 
Methods Branch: Mixed Methods and Experimental Designs to Test Intervention Effectiveness

 
Values Branch: Qualitatively Dominant RCT Mixed Methods Design

 
Use Branch: Randomized Controlled Trial With Qualitative Methods

 
Social Justice Branch: Mixed Methods With RCT and Qualitative Designs

 
Dialectical Pluralism: Mixed Methods for Intervention Evaluations

 
Summary and Moving Forward

 
 
Chapter 3. Mixed Methods Evaluation Designs for Instrument Development
Instrument Development

 
Methods Branch: Mixed Methods and Instrument Development

 
Values Branch: Instrument Development With Qualitative Approach Dominant

 
Use Branch: Multiphase Instrument Development

 
Social Justice Branch: Instrument Development

 
Dialectical Pluralism: Instrument Development

 
Summary and Moving Forward

 
 
Chapter 4. Mixed Methods Evaluation Designs for Policy Evaluation
Policy Evaluation and Mixed Methods

 
Methods Branch: Mixed Methods Policy Evaluation

 
Methods Branch: Mixed Methods Survey/Interview Embedded Policy Analysis

 
Values Branch: Mixed Methods Policy Evaluation

 
Use Branch: Mixed Methods Policy Evaluation

 
Social Justice Branch: Mixed Methods Policy Evaluation

 
Dialectical Pluralism: Mixed Methods Policy Evaluation

 
Summary and Moving Forward

 
 
Chapter 5. Mixed Methods Evaluation Designs for Systematic Reviews
Mixed Methods and Systematic Literature Review

 
Methods Branch: Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews

 
Values Branch: Qualitatively Dominant Systematic Reviews

 
Use Branch: Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews

 
Social Justice Branch: Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews

 
Dialectical Pluralism: Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews

 
Summary and Moving Forward

 
 
Chapter 6. Variations in Mixed Methods Evaluation Designs
Mixed Methods Designs and Gender-Responsive Evaluation

 
Mixed Methods Designs and Indigenous Evaluation

 
Universal Design: Mixed Methods Designs With Persons With Disabilities and Deaf Persons

 
Mixed Methods Designs and Developmental Evaluation

 
Mixed Methods Designs and Needs Assessment

 
Mixed Methods Designs and Visual Spatial Data

 
Mixed Methods Designs and Arts-Based Evaluations

 
Mixed Methods Designs in Conflict Zones and Violently Divided Societies

 
Summary and Moving Forward

 
 
Chapter 7. Trends, Challenges, and Advances in Mixed Methods Evaluation
Trends and Challenges for the Future of Mixed Methods

 
Philosophy and Methodology

 
Innovative Designs

 
Technological Advances and Big Data

 
Preparation of Mixed Methods Evaluators

 
Responsiveness to Complex Social Problems

 
Integration and Dissemination in Mixed Methods Evaluation

 
Conclusions and Moving Forward

 
 
Appendix. Key Resources for Additional Examples and Insights Into Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation
 
References
 
Index

“This text provides students of evaluation an inspiring and thorough understanding of the variety of ways evaluation is made more complete and valuable through the use of mixed methods designs.”

Kathleen Norris
Plymouth State University

“A great resource for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing mixed method evaluations for complex interventions or issues.”

Sebastian Galindo
University of Florida

“This text contains a wealth of information regarding mixed methods evaluation designs. It will be a go-to text for years to come!”

Jori N. Hall
University of Georgia

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