Developmental Evaluation: Building Innovations in Complex Environments

Michael C. Fagen, Sarah Davis Redman, Jonathan Stacks, Vivian Barrett, Benjamin Thullen, Sunyata Altenor, Brad L. Neiger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Developmental evaluation is an emerging approach to program evaluation that emphasizes innovation and learning. It is particularly well suited to evaluating innovative programs in their earliest stages of development and adapting existing programs to complex or changing environments. Key features of the developmental evaluation approach include a tight integration between evaluators and program staff and the use of data for continuous program improvement. This article presents developmental evaluation as a complementary approach to the traditional formative–summative evaluation cycle, especially when used for preformative evaluation. To illustrate this emerging approach, the article features a case example from the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health's evaluation of its school board sexuality education policy change project. The article concludes by suggesting ways that developmental evaluation can be useful in health promotion practice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)645-650
Number of pages6
JournalHealth Promotion Practice
Volume12
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011

Keywords

  • advocacy evaluation
  • developmental evaluation
  • evaluation design
  • health education
  • school health
  • sexual health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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