Purposeful Evaluation

A Practical Guide to Design, Development and Delivery

David Parsons (Independent consultant)

$165.95

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Policy Press
16 December 2025

Research methods: general; Social research & statistics; Social welfare & social services

This book offers a practical guide for those transitioning from research to systematic evaluation.

With growing demand for reliable evaluation across government, charities and other institutions, many new evaluators lack necessary knowledge and skills. This book addresses those gaps, offering step-by-step guidance on designing and delivering fit-for-purpose evaluations to maximise their use and utility. Taking a holistic approach to the evaluation journey, it covers key challenges such as engaging stakeholders, managing expectations and handling resource pressures.

With real-world case studies and practical tools, this is an essential resource for practitioners across public, academic and voluntary sectors.

By: David Parsons (Independent consultant)
Imprint: Policy Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9781447376125
ISBN 10: 1447376129
Pages: 348
Publication Date: 16 December 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Undergraduate , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Part 1: Starting Points 1. Purposeful Evaluation Part 2: Setting the Foundations 2. What is the Purpose? 3. How to Manage Expectations 4. Getting to Grips with the Moral Dimension Part 3: Choosing the Right Method 5. Process and Developmental Evaluation 6. Economic Evaluation 7. Experimental Impact Evaluation 8. Theory-based Impact Evaluation 9. Meta-evaluation Part 4: Putting it in Place - Planning into Delivery 10. What Needs to be Planned 11. What Delivery Challenges; How to Manage Them Part 5: Mobilising Evaluation Evidence 12. Optimising Evaluation Influence Supporting Annexes and Tools

David Parsons is a programme evaluator with over 30 years’ experience of independent public policy analysis in the UK, Europe and internationally. He is also Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University, Principal Consultant at P&A Research and Consulting, and Programme Lead for evaluation practitioner training at the UK’s Social Research Association.

Reviews for Purposeful Evaluation: A Practical Guide to Design, Development and Delivery

“At last, a book that provides - in one place - everything that the prospective evaluator needs to get started. This is practical, accessible advice grounded in real-world experience.” Andrew Jarvis, Vice President, ICF “This is a highly engaging book on evaluation that will address many of the questions you have, whether you are new to evaluation or more experienced. It is informed by many conversations with researchers from government, academia and charities and, therefore, grounded in the real world. Highly recommended reading.” Tina Haux, Chief Executive Officer, Social Research Association