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Represents a monumental shift in evaluation practice. This title shows how fourth generation evaluation solves persistent problems in programme evaluation, describes the differences between the positivist and constructivist paradigms of research, and provides a practical plan of the steps and processes in conducting a fourth generation evaluation.

Three new strategies for research - post-positivism, critical theory and constructivism - challenge scientific positivism. These strategies are examined and compared on issues such as conducting research between paradigms, answering questions of applied research and what constitutes good work.

Naturalistic Inquiry provides social scientists with a basic but comprehensive rationale for non-positivistic approaches to research. It confronts the basic premise underlying the scientific tradition that all questions can be answered by employing empirical, testable, replicable research techniques. The authors maintain that there are scientific 'facts' that existing paradigms cannot explain, and argue against traditional positivistic inquiry. They suggest an alternative approach supporting the use of the 'naturalistic' paradigm.