Cost-Inclusive Evaluation

"In a time of heightened focus on results-driven managerial accountability, this book delves into program costs through a genuinely evaluative lens, strengthening evaluators' understanding of program outcomes and impacts. It takes examination of costs outside the exclusive domain of economists and accountants and explores cost types and dynamics that are seldom considered in decision making. In seemingly effortless prose, the authors provide a straightforward, user-friendly guide for novice to seasoned evaluators. The book elucidates the logic of cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis tools--and, most important, their usefulness in real-world evaluation endeavors."--Mita Marra, PhD, Department of Social Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Editor-in-Chief, Evaluation and Program Planning

"This is a great book for a graduate evaluation topics course or for practitioners who want to expand their capabilities. Easy to follow, the book takes the reader through the process of cost-inclusive evaluation step by step, as well as discusses the pitfalls.”--Kimberly A. Fredericks, PhD, Dean, School of Management, Russell Sage College

“This welcome contribution to the field sheds much-needed light on the importance of measuring a wide range of costs when undertaking evaluations. It presents useful tools that are grounded in key technical processes. Of special note, the authors do a wonderful job in presenting the information in an accessible manner that is anchored in multiple perspectives and in the complex social contexts in which programs operate. The authors’ honest account of the reality that evaluators face is refreshing. By avoiding a strict financialization approach, the book strikes a careful balance between the technical and the human-centered, which helps us move into a more nuanced understanding and practice of cost analysis in evaluation."--Ruby Dagher, PhD, School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada-The book's presentation of actionable procedures and processes makes it a useful resource for practitioners and students alike….Instructors could use the content to encourage students to think about the roles for cost analysis as a part of larger analytical goals and could design a hypothetical cost analysis using the various methodological options presented throughout….This approachable cost evaluation reference complements existing texts on cost analysis in social sciences by offering novel perspectives and methods. One of this books' greatest strengths is its ability to define the key terms and concepts of cost analysis in understandable yet thorough ways. It covers the basics and introduces the reader to more complex situations and applications. Further, the authors manage the difficult task of keeping the topics interesting with useful examples and anecdotes….Cost-Inclusive Evaluation both communicates the value of cost analysis and provides concrete guidelines on how to incorporate cost analysis in evaluation. It has great potential to serve as a reference guide for experienced evaluators and as a textbook for evaluation students.--American Journal of Evaluation, 12/1/2023