scholarly journals Directions in Qualitative Evaluation

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Causal Understanding ◽  
Methodological Choice

It is regarded by many as not far short of bad taste to advance passionate claims based on the superiority of this or that methodology. The argument of most mainstream evaluation theorists is for a ‘horses for courses’ approach that aims to identify the strengths of different methods and discourage evaluators from over-claiming the relevance and application of any one approach to evaluation. I use this article to develop a few outline arguments in support of turning on their heads some conventional arguments about methodological choices for evaluation. I touch on four areas where qualitative methodology enables evaluators to re-cast central aspects of evaluation practice, viz causal understanding, methodological choice, the evaluation of professional practice, and the uses of evaluation.

scholarly journals A Framework to Evaluate Land Take Control Policy Efficiency in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Salata ◽  
Elisabetta Peccol ◽  
Oscar Borsato
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
The Past ◽  
North East ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Friuli Venezia Giulia

The development of effective policies against land take should be based on a deep knowledge of the specific land use dynamics and their determinants in a regional context. To this end, the traditional quantitative land use change analyses need to be integrated with a more accurate spatial and qualitative evaluation of the effects of the land use zoning of municipal land development plans and of the connected supplementary regulations (e.g., local building regulations). Land take limitation policies in Italy are largely based on the definition of quantitative thresholds for new development zones, while ignoring all those undeveloped zones that have been assigned building rights codes by plans of which the knowledge could largely impact policies. This paper attempted to define a conceptual framework of analysis which integrates a land use change assessment with an analysis in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment of the spatial distribution of normative zones. The method was tested on the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (north-east Italy)—a territory that has experienced rapid growth in recent decades—by analyzing the spatial impact of the recently promulgated regional laws on land take control, the explicit and specific purpose of which was to limit commercial and industrial land use in the whole region. The soil sealing data were analyzed by performing a cross-comparison with the building rights permissions data, thus achieving a comprehensive evaluation of the past and predicted land take for commercial and industrial uses. Results demonstrated that the expected land take will exceed the past urbanization rate, highlighting a substantial inefficacy of the promulgated regional laws in promoting local land take control. The main innovations of this study relate to the definition of a newer qualitative methodology for framing an efficient decision-making supporting system, while helping to achieve the long-term sustainability of policies.

scholarly journals Following the Evidence Practice: An Analysis of Evaluation Studies on EU Railway Policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio De Francesco
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Evaluation Theory ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Better Regulation ◽  
Analytical Perspective

AbstractSince the end of the 1990s, scholars have been paying particular attention to the link between evidence and policy because of the rise of evidence-based policy making and better regulation in the European Union political agenda. Documents such as evaluation studies are material traces of professional practice and the knowledge production process. Through the analytical perspective of evaluation practice, this contribution has two purposes. First, it differentiates three modes of evaluation theory and practice. Second, through a systematic content analysis of 52 evaluation studies of EU railway policy, it presents an overview of general patterns in the use of evaluative theories and practice. Besides contributing to the literature of evidence and policy practice, the article provides recommendations for EU evaluation and better regulation guidelines.

scholarly journals Establishing and Developing Professional Evaluator Dispositions

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall Davies
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Basic Principle ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Professional Dispositions ◽  
Beliefs And Values ◽  
Teaching Professional

A basic principle associated with competent evaluation practice asserts that evaluators should possess the education, abilities, skills, and experience needed to undertake the tasks proposed in an evaluation. For those training evaluators this also means teaching professional dispositions, because an individual’s dispositions (i.e., beliefs and values) influence how they will act as professionals. In order for evaluation educators to teach evaluator competencies, we must understand the underlying dispositions associated with each competency. We must also identify which dispositions are essential for professional practice. This paper discusses the issue of dispositions and the challenges of helping evaluators develop positive professional dispositions.

scholarly journals VIVENDO ENTRE DEVOTOS: AS POSSIBILIDADES DO USO DE OBSERVAÇÃO PARTICIPANTE NA PESQUISA GEOGRÁFICA EM SANTUÁRIOS CATÓLICOS

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Átila Firmino Dantas ◽  
Otávio José Lemos Costa
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Sacred Places ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Geography Of Religion ◽  
Geographic Space ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Cultural Forms

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar possíveis escolhas metodológica para estudos concernentes a problemáticas espaço e religião. Nesse sentido, utilizando de uma metodologia qualitativa e de uma observação participante, construímos possibilidades viáveis na leitura das dinâmicas do sagrado no espaço geográfico. Assim, tomamos como aporte teórico os estudos de Rosendahl (2012), Claval (1999) e Gertz (2014), no qual foi possível perceber que a utilização dessas metodologias para estudo de lugares sagrados nos leva a compreensão do cotidiano de devotos, e na descrição de paisagens e formas culturais de áreas. Palavras-chave: Devoção. Metodologia. Observação participante. Geografia da Religião. ABSTRACTThis article aims to present possible methodological choices for studies concerning problems space and religion. In this sense, using a qualitative methodology and a participant observation, we construct viable possibilities in the reading of the dynamics of the sacred in the geographic space. Thus, we take as theoretical contribution the studies of Rosendahl (2012), Claval (1999) and Gertz (2014), in which it was possible to perceive that the use of these methodologies to the study sacred places lead us to an understanding of the daily life of devotees, in the description of landscapes and cultural forms of areas.Key words: Devotion. Methodology. Participant observation. Geography of Religion. RESUMENEste artículo tiene como objetivo presentar posibles opciones metodológicas para estudios concernientes a las problemáticas espacio y religión. En este sentido, utilizando una metodología cualitativa y de una observación participante, construimos posibilidades viables en la lectura de las dinámicas del sagrado en el espacio geográfico. Así, tomamos como aporte teórico los estudios de Rosendahl (2012), Claval (1999) y Gertz (2014), en el cual fue posible percibir que la utilización de esas metodologías para el estudio de lugares sagrados nos llevan a la comprensión del cotidiano de devotos y en la descripción de paisajes y formas culturales de áreas.Palabras chave: Devoción. Metodología. Observación participante. Geografía de la Religión.

scholarly journals "To Be" as a Project: an Autoethnography of the Vital Project Construction Process for a Physical Education Teacher

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Irene López Secanell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Contemporary Art ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
The Past ◽  
Project Construction ◽  
Auto Ethnography

This essay has the purpose of analyzing the development of my vital project as a Physical Educations teacher. It has been designed using the qualitative methodology through a reflexive auto ethnography with the biographical accounts that I had developed for the past 7 years. The categories that structure the results correspond to the stages that according to Romero (2004) are necessary to reach the vital project: “Reconnaissance stage”, “Crystallisation stage”, “Specification stage” and “Fulfilment stage”. The analysis confirms that going through all of these stages has allowed me becoming a reflective, critical and creative person and has eased me reaching my vital project. In addition, the essay shows the professional development that I have experienced along the process and that has allowed me setting up a new innovative physical education based on the Contemporary Art. It concludes with the importance for the teachers to think about their vital project in order to share with their students the importance that using biographical accounts has as instruments to show them the evolution of a teacher's professional practice.

scholarly journals A Six-Step Model for Developing Competency Frameworks in the Healthcare Professions

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Batt ◽  
Brett Williams ◽  
Jessica Rich ◽  
Walter Tavares
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Real World ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Step Model ◽  
Competency Frameworks ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Healthcare Professions ◽  
Framework Development

Competency frameworks are developed for a variety of purposes, including describing professional practice and informing education and assessment frameworks. Despite the volume of competency frameworks developed in the healthcare professions, guidance remains unclear and is inconsistently adhered to (perhaps in part due to a lack of organizing frameworks), there is variability in methodological choices, inconsistently reported outputs, and a lack of evaluation of frameworks. As such, we proposed the need for improved guidance. In this paper, we outline a six-step model for developing competency frameworks that is designed to address some of these shortcomings. The six-steps comprise [1] identifying purpose, intended uses, scope, and stakeholders; [2] theoretically informed ways of identifying the contexts of complex, “real-world” professional practice, which includes [3] aligned methods and means by which practice can be explored; [4] the identification and specification of competencies required for professional practice, [5] how to report the process and outputs of identifying such competencies, and [6] built-in strategies to continuously evaluate, update and maintain competency framework development processes and outputs. The model synthesizes and organizes existing guidance and literature, and furthers this existing guidance by highlighting the need for a theoretically-informed approach to describing and exploring practice that is appropriate, as well as offering guidance for developers on reporting the development process and outputs, and planning for the ongoing maintenance of frameworks.

scholarly journals Qualitative evaluation of a service leadership subject in a Chinese context

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Li Lin ◽  
Emma X.P. Pu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
Service Leadership ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
The Subject

AbstractAdopting a qualitative methodology, views of the students on a subject on service leadership were examined. Students taking the subject (n=153) were invited to use descriptors and metaphors to describe their experiences about the subject. Regarding the descriptors given by the students, most of them were positive in nature. Similar positive findings were obtained for the metaphors. The findings are generally consistent with those studies using the same methodology reported in the literature. In conjunction with other evaluation findings, the present findings suggest that students had positive experiences about taking the subject and regarded the subject to be able to promote their service leadership qualities.

scholarly journals A Six-Step Model for Developing Competency Frameworks in the Healthcare Professions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Batt ◽  
Brett Williams ◽  
Jessica Rich ◽  
Walter Tavares
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Real World ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Step Model ◽  
Competency Frameworks ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Healthcare Professions ◽  
Framework Development

Competency frameworks are developed for a variety of purposes, including describing professional practice and informing education and assessment frameworks. Despite the volume of competency frameworks developed in the healthcare professions, guidance remains unclear and is inconsistently adhered to (perhaps in part due to a lack of organising frameworks), there is variability in methodological choices, inconsistently reported outputs, and a lack of evaluation of frameworks. As such, we proposed the need for improved guidance. In this paper we outline a six-step model for developing competency framework that is designed to address some of these shortcomings. The six-steps comprise [1] identifying purpose, intended uses, scope, and stakeholders; [2] theoretically informed ways of identifying the contexts of complex, ‘real-world’ professional practice, which includes [3] aligned methods and means by which practice can be explored; [4] the identification and specification of competencies required for professional practice, [5] how to report the process and outputs of identifying such competencies, and [6] built-in strategies to continuously evaluate, update and maintain competency framework development processes and outputs. The model synthesizes and organizes existing guidance and literature, and furthers this existing guidance by highlighting the need for a theoretically-informed approach to describing and exploring practice that is appropriate, as well as offering guidance for developers on reporting the development process and outputs, and planning for the ongoing maintenance of frameworks.

scholarly journals A qualitative evaluation of healthy weight services in a local authority in England

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 939-951
Author(s):  
Nicky Helen Kime ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Claire Griffiths ◽  
Martin Rivett ◽  
Paul Gately
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Evaluation Staff

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healthy weight services in one local authority in England, where obesity levels have been above the national average since 2006. Design: We conducted process and outcome evaluation using a qualitative methodology. Data were generated in focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with clients, practitioners, healthcare professionals and volunteers. Results: A total of 91 individuals from six services participated in the evaluation. Staff competencies and empowerment outcomes were identified as areas of strength. However, despite examples of excellent practice and enthusiastic recommendations from clients, access and referral processes were areas of weakness. Conclusion: In England, local authorities have an important role to play in tackling obesity. It is crucial that they are provided with the tools to be able to implement healthy weight interventions effectively. A whole-systems approach presents a real opportunity for staff in local authorities and public health to work collaboratively and innovatively towards the same goal of continuous improvement in obesity management.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Evaluation of Young People’s, Parents’ and Carers’ Experiences of a National and Specialist CAMHS Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Outpatient Service

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5927
Author(s):  
Namali Ratnaweera ◽  
Katrina Hunt ◽  
Jake Camp
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Outpatient Service ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Service Data

(1) Background: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is the recommended treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms in adults, however, research investigating the effectiveness of DBT for adolescents is limited. The present study explores the experiences of young people and their parents/carers of a DBT service using qualitative methodology. (2) Methods: Young people and their parents/carers, who completed DBT within the National and Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health DBT Service based at the Maudsley Hospital in London, were asked questions regarding their experience of the service. Data was collected from young people who completed treatment between July 2019 and July 2020 (n = 18) and their parents and carers (n = 7). (3) Results: Amongst young people, the themes identified were: a new way of living, better understanding of self, new skills, person-centred approach, and relationships with others. Parent and carer interviews revealed themes of improved relationships, feeling supported, improved quality of life, and time/timing. (4) Conclusions: Young people reported improvements in emerging BPD symptomology after completing DBT. Parents and carers reported improvements in their young person and families since starting DBT. A longer DBT programme, earlier DBT intervention, and the time-consuming nature of DBT were highlighted as areas for improvement.

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