Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation

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.

Table of Contents:
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