Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Patton demonstrates that the main failing of most evaluations is a lack of practicality. They fail to be cheap, accurate, attuned to the differences between different programmes or to provide useful, realistic policy alternatives for decision-makers. Patton discusses the major stages of the evaulation process, describing evaluation design, measurement, analysis and reporting. Using his own field and workshop experiences, he provides a new vision of evaluation that emphasizes the elements of feasibility, efficiency, and utility.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• The Practical Mandate
• The Source of the Mandate to Be Practical
• Evaluation Issues in Practical Perspective
• Collaborative Evaluation Practice With Groups
• Fundamentals
• Issues And Options
• Practicing With and Without Goals
• Thoughtful Interviewing
• Thoughtful Methods Decisions
• Practical and Creative Evaluation Data Collection
• Managing Management Information Systems
• Fundamental Principles of Data Analysis
• Practical and Useful Recommendations
• Return To The Mandate
• Practical Evaluation
• Thoughful Questionnaires