Participatory Evaluation in Youth and Community Work: Theory and Practice

Evaluation is an essential element of professional practice, but there is little literature designed to help students involve and support young people in evaluating the impact of youth work activities. This comprehensive book explores current thinking about evaluation in the context of youth work and community work and offers theoretical understanding and practical guidance for students, practitioners, organizational leaders, and commissioners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2017
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Evaluation is a crucial component of professional practice, yet there is a scarcity of literature specifically tailored to assist students in engaging and supporting young people in assessing the impact of youth work activities. This comprehensive book delves into the current perspectives on evaluation within the realms of youth work and community work, providing both theoretical insights and practical guidance for students, practitioners, organizational leaders, and commissioners.

Part 1 establishes a foundational understanding of the origins, purposes, and functions of evaluation. It traces the evolution of evaluation thinking over the past 50 years, encompassing an exploration of the 'theory of change' concepts. Key terms such as impact, impact measurement, and shared measurement are critically examined to illustrate the political nature of evaluation. Empirical research findings are utilized to shed light on the challenges associated with applying a quasi-experimental paradigm to evaluate youth and community work.

Part 2 introduces the reader to participatory evaluation, providing a comprehensive overview of its histories, rationales, and underlying principles. Empowerment evaluation, collaborative evaluation, and democratic evaluation are explored in depth, accompanied by practical examples. Additionally, transformative evaluation, a methodology specifically tailored for youth and community work, is presented.

Part 3 focuses on the 'doing of participatory evaluation' and offers guidance to those new to this approach in the context of youth and community work, as well as serving as a valuable resource for those already engaged. It provides valuable information on planning, methods, data collection, and data analysis, along with processes for knowledge sharing.

By leveraging this essential text, readers will be empowered to reconceptualize evaluation as a tool for learning and for assessing value, contributing to the improvement of youth and community work practices.

Weight: 298g
Dimension: 237 x 165 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138184381