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Handout from session at 2011 AEA/CDC Summer Evaluation Institute

Session Description: This workshop focuses on the methodological and contextual considerations in designing and conducting transformative mixed methods evaluation. It is geared to meet the needs of evaluators working in communities that reflect diversity in terms of culture, race/ethnicity, religion, language, gender, and disability. Deficit perspectives that are taken as common wisdom can have a deleterious effect on both the design of a program and the outcomes of that program. A transformative mixed methods approach enhances an evaluator's ability to design and conduct evaluations with a greater potential for social change.

Theoretical perspectives and their methodological implications will be presented through mini-lectures, small- and large-group discussions, and opportunities to apply the transformative principles to your own evaluations. Alternative strategies based on transformative mixed methods are illustrated through reference to the presenters' own work, the work of others, and the challenges that participants bring to the workshop.

You will learn:

* To critically examine the transformative paradigm's assumptions in culturally diverse communities,

* To identify different methodological approaches within a transformative mixed methods model,

* To apply critical skills associated with selecting the design and use of transformative mixed methods evaluation.

Donna Mertens is a Past President of the American Evaluation Association, conducts national and international evaluations, and teaches program evaluation to graduate students at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Donna recently authored Transformative Research and Evaluation (Guilford). Katrina L Bledsoe is a current member of the AEA board, and a research scientist/evaluation specialist at the Education Development Center in Washington, DC. Katrina conducts evaluations in culturally complex communities domestically and internationally.

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