Part One: Evaluation Planning and Design. - 1. Planning and Designing Useful Evaluations - Kathryn E. Newcomer, Harry P. Hatry and Joseph S. Wholey. - 2. Analyzing and Engaging Stakeholders - John M. Bryson and Michael Q. Patton. - 3. Using Logic Models - John A. McLaughlin and Gretchen B. Jordan. - 4. Exploratory Evaluation - Joseph S. Wholey. - 5. Performance Measurement: Monitoring Program Outcomes - Theodore H. Poister. - 6. Comparison Group Designs - Gary T. Henry. - 7. Randomized Controlled Trials and Nonrandomized Designs - Carole T. Torgerson, David J. Torgerson and Celia A. Taylor. - 8. Conducting Case Studies - Karin Martinson and Carolyn O'Brien. - 9. Recruitment and Retention of Study Participants - Scott C Cook, Shara Godiwalla, Keeshawna Brooks, Christopher Powers and Priya John. - 10. Designing, Managing, and Analyzing Multisite Evaluations - Debra J. Rog. Part Two: Practical Data Collection Procedures. - 11. Using Agency Records - Harry P. Hatry. - 12. Using Surveys - Kathryn E. Newcomer and Timothy Triplett. - 13. Using Trained Observer Ratings - Barbara J. Cohn Berman, Julie Brenman and Verna Vasquez. - 14. Collecting Data in the Field - Demetra Smith Nightingale and Shelli B. Rossman. - 15. Using the Internet - William C. Adams. - 16. Conducting Semi-Structured Interviews - William C. Adams. - 17. Focus Group Interviewing - Richard A. Krueger and Mary Anne Casey. - 18. Using Stories in Evaluation - Richard A. Krueger. Part Three: Data Analysis. - 19. Qualitative Data Analysis - Patricia J. Rogers and Delwyn Goodrick. - 20.Using Statistics in Evaluation - Kathryn E. Newcomer and Dylan Conger. - 21. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit Analysis - Stephanie Riegg Cellini and James Edwin Kee. - 22. Meta-Analyses, Systematic Reviews, and Evaluation Syntheses - Robert F. Boruch and Anthony Petrosino. Part Four: Use of Evaluation. - 23. Pitfalls in Evaluation - Harry P. Hatry and Kathryn E. Newcomer. - 24. Providing Recommendations, Suggestions, and Options for Improvement - George F. Grob. - 25. Writing for Impact - George F. Grob. - 26. Contracting for Evaluation Products and Services -James B. Bell. - 27. Use of Evaluation in Government: The Politics of Evaluation - Joseph S. Wholey. - 28. Evaluation Challenges, Issues, and Trends - Harry P. Hatry, Joseph S. Wholey and Kathryn E. Newcomer.