Abstract: Patton's Qualitative Evaluation Methods is geared toward the scientific researcher or applied social scientist who wants to expand his or her evaluation repertoire. It is not a "how to" book, but rather it serves as a reference for scholarly exploration of alternatives to strictly quantitative evaluation processes. The book will assist social scientist in determining when it is appropriate to use qualitative methods and how to get useful and valid data. Patton present a flexible approach to the se lection of evaluation methods. It is known as the paradigm of choices: using different methods for different situations. The emphasis is on the importance of understanding the background and context of a situation in order to analyze and interpret data. The text is divided into three parts. Part I is concerned with conceptual issues in the use of qualitative methods for evaluation research.

Topics in this selection include the definition and recognition of qualitative data, qualitative method strategies, theoretical bases and ideals for qualitative research, and the development of multimodal evaluation designs. The compatibility of qualitative evaluation methods with different evaluation models and processes is presented. Patton sets forth a checklist of evaluation situation for which qualitative methods are appropriate. Part II deals with collecting qualitative data. Covered in this section are such things as strategies and techniques for qualitative interviewing, the stages of fieldwork, the importance of field notes, and various methods of observation. Part III focuses on the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of qualitative data. The emphasis is on deriving useful information which is supported by theory to help in decision-making processes.