The primary purpose of this book is to examine the development of evaluation and its impact on public policy. This will involve a critical analysis of much of the evaluation literature generated mainly in the USA and the UK from the 1950s onwards. In particular, we shall be seeking published accounts of empirical research which has reported on attempts to identify clear evidence of a link between formal evaluation results and policy formulation. The text will also focus on the application of theory-driven evaluation to policy making.

Although discussions of data collection methods, research designs and the selection of criteria for evaluating policies, programmes and projects are included (Chapters Three, Four and Five), this book is not intended to be something akin to an evaluation handbook. These chapters contribute to the key theme of the book, which centres on the interface between the academic and political worlds.

We intend the book to be of interest and relevance to students engaged on a variety of courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels; to public sector personnel involved with implementing and/or evaluating the impact of policies, programmes and projects on intended beneficiaries; and to various stakeholders, notably politicians, community leaders and non-governmental organisations.

Within the broad aim set out above as the primary purpose, the objectives of this book are to:

• • trace the emergence of evaluation in the political and academic worlds;

• • explore the concept of evaluation and its various interpretations;

• • identify the potential opportunities and problems in a range of data collection methods and in the analysis of data;

• • explain the development of evaluation frameworks;

• • assess critically a range of evaluation criteria commonly used in evaluations;

• • examine the role of economic evaluations;

• • consider the extent to which academics have influenced the practice of evaluation;

• • examine the nature of evidence and its use/non-use by decision makers;