In Search of Cultural Competence in Evaluation: Toward Principles and Practices, No. 102

This volume focuses on culturally competent evaluation. The chapters address a number of questions: How does culture matter in evaluation theory and practice? How does attention to cultural issues make for better evaluation practice? How does attention to cultural issues make for better evaluation practice? What is the "value-addedness" of cultural competence in evaluation? How do the complexities, challenges, and politics of diversity issue affect evaluation? The first chapter is an overview of culture, cultural competence, and culturally competent evaluation; the other chapters provide case studies on the implementation of culturally competent evaluation in a variety of settings and with several populations. The volume contributors also present lessons learned from their experiences and recommendations for implementing cultural competent evaluations in general. This volume is part of an important discussion of race, culture, and diversity in evaluation striving to shape and advance culturally competent evaluation, and, in tandem, evaluation of culturally competent services.

This is the 102nd issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Evaluation.

Melva Thompson-Robinson is an assistant professor of behavioral science and health education in the Institute of Public Health in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceurical Sciences at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Rodney Hopson is an associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Foundations and Leadership in the School of Education and a faculty member in the Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Saumitra SenGupta is a research scientist at the Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest in Albuquerque, New Mexico.