Evaluation Practice for Projects with Young People: A Guide to Creative Research - Hardcover

Stuart, Kaz; Maynard, Lucy; Rouncefield, Caroline

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 144627599X ISBN 13: 9781446275993

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2015

Synopsis

 This straightforward and original text sets out best practice for designing, conducting and analysing research on work with young people. A creative and practical guide to evaluation, it provides the tools needed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and applied practice.

Written by an experienced, erudite team of authors this book provides clear, pragmatic advice that can be taken into the classroom and the field.

The book:

• Provides strategies for involving young people in research and evaluation
• Showcases creative and participatory methods
• Weaves a real world project through each chapter, highlighting challenges and opportunities at each stage of an evaluation; readers are thus able to compare approaches
• Is accompanied by a website with downloadable worksheets, templates and videos from the authors

This is the ideal text for postgraduate students and practitioners who work with young people in the statutory and voluntary sectors.

 

 

About this title

About the Author

I have worked in education, social care, outdoor education and youth work as a front line worker, manager and at times, leader. I have encountered the challenge of measurement of progress in all of these settings. The emphasis on impact evidence varied across contexts, but one constant was the need to develop a form of evaluation that; benefitted the young people I worked with, allowed me to stay true to my values as a practitioner, and met the needs of the organisation that I was employed by. I taught  research methods on a Masters programme in Leading Integrated Children’s Services at the University of Cumbria, I was the Head of Research at Brathay Trust, a youth work organisation, and am now a director at Indigo Children’s Services supporting children’s centres, schools and children’s services to provide outstanding services for children and families. Evidencing the efficacy of services and impact for young people remains a constant challenge in all of these roles and is the impetus for this book.

 

Review

This is an excellent text which challenges the traditional notion of research as a highbrow, pseudo-scientific activity by intellectuals.  It is full of creative and practical ideas for evaluating projects and giving a voice to lots of very clever, but rarely heard, young people.
Author: Annette Rimmer

This is a vital text, that presents a compelling narrative about the importance of evaluation in youth work practice, and as a youth work tool. It is thorough and detailed, but always accessible; never shying away from challenges but meeting them with optimism. It deftly weaves together theory and practice, and feels above all very alive - full of insight, enquiry and experience. 

Author: Bethia McNeil

Edition details

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 144627599X
• ISBN 13: 9781446275993
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248