Evaluation and Program Planning

Purpose and Intent of the Journal
Evaluation and Program Planning is based on the principle that the techniques and methods of evaluation and planning transcend the boundaries of specific fields and that relevant contributions to these areas come from people representing many different positions, intellectual traditions, and interests. In order to further the development of evaluation and planning, we publish articles from the private and public sectors in a wide range of areas: organizational development and behavior, training, planning, human resource development, health and mental wellbeing, social services, corrections, substance abuse, and education. The primary goals of the journal are to assist evaluators and planners to improve the practice of their professions, to develop their skills and to improve their knowledge base.

Types of Articles Published
We publish articles, "special issues" (usually a section of an issue), and book reviews. Articles are of two types: 1) reports on specific evaluation or planning efforts, and 2) dicussions of issues relevant to the conduct of evaluation and planning.

Reports on individual evaluations should include presentation of the evaluation setting, design, analysis and results. Because of our focus and philosophy, however, we also want a specific section devoted to "lessons learned". This section should contain advice to other evaluators about how you would have acted differently if you could do it all over again. The advice may involve methodology, how the evaluation was implemented or conducted, evaluation utilization tactics, or any other wisdom that you think could benefit your colleagues. More general articles should provide information relevant to the evaluator/planner's work. This might include theories in evaluation, literature reviews, critiques of instruments, or discussions of fiscal, legislative, legal or ethical issues affecting evaluation or planning.

Special issues are groups of articles which cover a particular topic in depth. They are organized by "special issue editors" who are willing to conceptualize the topic, find contributors, set up a quality control process, and deliver the material. Often several editors share responsibility for these tasks. Suggestions for special issues are encouraged.

Book reviews cover any area of social science or public policy which may interest evaluators and planners. As with special issues, suggestions for books and book reviewers are encouraged.