Purposeful Evaluation
A Practical Guide to Design, Development and Delivery
1st Edition
Published on 25. November 2025
348 pages
978-1-4473-7614-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers a practical guide for those transitioning from research to systematic evaluation.
With growing demand for reliable evaluation across government, charities and other institutions, many new evaluators lack necessary knowledge and skills. This book addresses those gaps, offering step-by-step guidance on designing and delivering fit-for-purpose evaluations to maximise their use and utility. Taking a holistic approach to the evaluation journey, it covers key challenges such as engaging stakeholders, managing expectations and handling resource pressures.
With real-world case studies and practical tools, this is an essential resource for practitioners across public, academic and voluntary sectors.
With growing demand for reliable evaluation across government, charities and other institutions, many new evaluators lack necessary knowledge and skills. This book addresses those gaps, offering step-by-step guidance on designing and delivering fit-for-purpose evaluations to maximise their use and utility. Taking a holistic approach to the evaluation journey, it covers key challenges such as engaging stakeholders, managing expectations and handling resource pressures.
With real-world case studies and practical tools, this is an essential resource for practitioners across public, academic and voluntary sectors.
Reviews / Votes
"At last, a book that provides - in one place - everything that the prospective evaluator needs to get started. This is practical, accessible advice grounded in real-world experience." Andrew Jarvis, Vice President, ICF "This is a highly engaging book on evaluation that will address many of the questions you have, whether you are new to evaluation or more experienced. It is informed by many conversations with researchers from government, academia and charities and, therefore, grounded in the real world. Highly recommended reading." Tina Haux, Chief Executive Officer, Social Research AssociationMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Not illustrated
File size
1,21 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-7614-9 (9781447376149)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 11/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€121.50
Not yet published
Book
approx. 11/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€39.50
Not yet published
Person
David Parsons is a programme evaluator with over 30 years' experience of independent public policy analysis in the UK, Europe and internationally. He is also Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University, Principal Consultant at P&A Research and Consulting, and Programme Lead for evaluation practitioner training at the UK's Social Research Association.
Content
Part 1: Starting Points
1. Why purposeful evaluation?
Part 2: Setting the Foundations
2. Defining the purpose
3. Managing evaluation objectives and expectations
4. Managing the ethical dimension
Part 3: Choosing the Right Method
5. Understanding the choices
6. Process evaluation
7. Economic evaluation
8. Fully experimental impact evaluation
9. Quasi-experimental impact evaluation
10. Theory-based impact evaluation
11. Meta-evaluation
Part 4: Putting it in Place: Preparation into Delivery
12. Preparation and groundwork
13. Managing challenges and delivery
Part 5: Presenting and Mobilising Evidence
14. Delivering the evidence
15. Optimising evaluation influence
1. Why purposeful evaluation?
Part 2: Setting the Foundations
2. Defining the purpose
3. Managing evaluation objectives and expectations
4. Managing the ethical dimension
Part 3: Choosing the Right Method
5. Understanding the choices
6. Process evaluation
7. Economic evaluation
8. Fully experimental impact evaluation
9. Quasi-experimental impact evaluation
10. Theory-based impact evaluation
11. Meta-evaluation
Part 4: Putting it in Place: Preparation into Delivery
12. Preparation and groundwork
13. Managing challenges and delivery
Part 5: Presenting and Mobilising Evidence
14. Delivering the evidence
15. Optimising evaluation influence
