Editors' Notes

Gary T. Henry

George Julnes

Melvin M. Mark

A Realist Theory of Evaluation Practice

Melvin M. Mark

Gary T. Henry

George Julnes

Many of the key implications of an emerging realist theory for evaluation practice are described

Principles and practice implications of emergent realism are presented, first in the context of a running conversation, and then in an illustrative pre-proposal

Evaluation as Sensemaking: Knowledge Construction in a Realist World

George Julnes

Melvin M. Mark

Realism offers an alternative to the traditional positivist and constructivist paradigms

The principles of this approach are described, as are its implications for knowledge construction

Values and Realist Evaluation

Gary T. Henry

George Julnes

In this chapter, realist principles frame evaluation as a support for democratic processes in the pursuit of social betterment

Social betterment is defined as the extent to which public policies and programs meet the ever-emerging complex of human needs

Distinct implications for the practice of evaluation, analyzing distributional aspects of a program, and informing democratic processes are explored

Social Programming and Policy-Making: A Realist Perspective

Melvin M. Mark

Gary T. Henry

Social programming is, at least in part, an evolved mechanism for addressing social needs

Evaluation focuses on social programs

We review selected aspects of the complex, dynamic, political, and contextual factors that influence social programming, and from these we draw conclusions about the conduct of realist evaluation

A Realist Theory and Analysis of Utilization

Gary T. Henry

Debra J. Rog

A theory of evaluation use must be contextualized within the venue in which use is expected

Use in policy-making and social programming is analyzed with particular emphasis on shaping realist practice to increase the potential for utilization

Epilogue: Experience Informing Theory Supporting Practice

George Julnes

Melvin M. Mark

Gary T. Henry

Index