RealWorld Evaluation addresses the challenges of conducting evaluations where there is not enough money, time, or data but methodologically sound findings are still needed and where politics makes the job of the evaluator harder. These all-too-common circumstances affect many evaluations in both developing and developed countries. The authors provides help to evaluation practitioners who design and conduct evaluations, to users of evaluation including agencies and policy-makers who request evaluations and use their results, and evaluation students learning how to apply evaluation theories and approaches in actual contexts.

Adapting a range of methods to real-world situations, RealWorld Evaluation draws on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Design, methods, cultural sensitivity, validity, credibility, and reporting are among the many topics addressed in this book. Examples drawn from evaluations in education, social services, microcredit, agriculture, water projects and other areas in the US and in developing countries help show how adapting to different types of exigencies can succeed.