Tackling Wicked Problems in Complex Ecologies: The Role of Evaluation

by Rodney Hopson (Editor), Fiona Cram (Editor)

Overview

Tackling Wicked Problems in Complex Ecologies is a call to action, focusing on the role that evaluators can play in addressing social and economic problems. Evaluation extends beyond theories and methods, encompassing a range of proven approaches for addressing ecological complexities that drive inequities around the globe.

Bringing together leading thinkers and problem-solvers, this collection traverses the range of contexts at the frontiers of the field—from inadequate food supply and housing to unemployment and poverty. Editors Rodney Hopson and Fiona Cram demonstrate the effects of an engaged approach to evaluation, in which three considerations take center stage: its relevance, the relationships it engenders, and the responsibilities it requires. This is a handbook for tackling the social and economic problems of the twenty-first century which, though wicked, are amenable to the tools of the trade.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781503600713
Publisher:	Stanford University Press
Publication date:	05/01/2018
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Rodney Hopson is Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Fiona Cram is Director of Katoa Ltd, a research and evaluation company in New Zealand, and Editor-in-Chief of Evaluation Matters.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Part I Foundations

1 Tackling Wicked Problems in Complex Evaluation Ecologies Rodney Hopson Fiona Cram 3

2 Ecological Thinking as a Route to Sustainability in Evaluation Andy Rome 25

3 Indigenous Insight on Valuing Complexity, Sustaining Relationships, Being Accountable Linda Tuhiwai Smith 45

Part II Vulnerabilities in Diverse Evaluation Ecologies

4 Evaluating HIV Practices and Evidence-Supported Programs in AIDS Community-Based Organizations Robin Lin Miller 69

5 Complex Ecology in International Development Evaluation, Focusing on Women and People with Disabilities Donna M. Mertens Arlinda S. Boland 103

6 Greating Collaborative Community Practices through Restorative Justice Principles in Evaluation Jill Anne Choulnard Ayesha S. Boyce 129

Part III System and Policy Responsiveness to Complex Evaluation Ecologies

7 Creating a Sustainable and Equitable Food System Oran B. Hesterman Ricardo Miliett 155

8 Developing Relevant and Responsible Recommendations in Health Policy Crystal Barksdale Rodney Hapson Kimberly Green Karolina Schantz Jennifer Kenyon William Rodick Akashi Kaul Godfrey Jacobs 180

Part IV Toward Solutions

9 Considering the Paris Declaration Principles on Aid Effectiveness as a Means to Drive Reform Michael Quinn Patton 201

10 Digging Deeper to Engage Wicked Problems through Evaluation Fiona Cram Rodney Hopson 234

Contributors 257

Index 265

Editorial Reviews

"The editors have assembled a group of internationally renowned contributors with unique, wide-ranging perspectives to demonstrate how a complex ecology lens can benefit evaluative thinking and practice. A serious challenge to the traditionalist approaches we know." —J. Bradley Cousins, University of Ottowa

"Wise and experienced evaluators will find many takeaways to guide their practice. At the same time, the examples are sufficiently illustrative to offer guidance by analogy, even to novices." —Sharon F. Rallis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Editor of American Journal of Evaluation

From the Publisher