Kumar-2011-Research-Methodology_-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-for-Beginners

Chapter 18
Research Methodology
and Practice Evaluation
In this chapter you will learn about:
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What evaluation is and why it is done
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The process for using evaluation to develop an intervention
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The two different perspectives in the classification of evaluation studies
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Types of evaluation from a focus perspective
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Types of evaluation from a philosophical perspective
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The process of undertaking an evaluation
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The importance of involving stakeholders in evaluation
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Ethics in evaluation
Keywords: client-centred evaluation, cost–benefit evaluation, costeffectiveness
evaluation, ethics, evaluation, evaluation process, goalcentred,
holistic evaluation, illuminative evaluation, impact evaluation,
improvement-oriented evaluation, indicators, intervention, monitoring,
objective-oriented evaluation, outcome evaluation, perspectives, process
evaluation, stakeholders.
Research methodology and practice evaluation are integrally related. Practice evaluation relies
very heavily on the techniques, methods and skills of research methodology. For an evaluator
it is imperative to be a good researcher. As this book is primarily written for newcomers to
research and for practitioners in human services who are increasingly being asked to provide
evidence of the effectiveness of their practice, it is only appropriate that this book includes a
chapter that briefly outlines evaluation research and its relationship with research methodology.