Though several excellent literature reviews and research syntheses have been conducted, and thoughtful frameworks and models have been proposed, I believe it is time for the evaluation field to tackle the "hard stuff" of evaluation capacity building (ECB). This entails engaging staff in ECB activities, building the evaluation capacity of…

Evaluation capacity building (ECB) has become a hot topic of conversation, activity, and study within the evaluation field. Seeking to enhance stakeholders' understanding of evaluation concepts and practices, and in an effort to create evaluation cultures, organizations have been implementing a variety of strategies to help their members learn…

Imagine a world where evaluation is a social epidemic . . . where individuals, groups, organizations, and communities are constantly learning about and from evaluations. The author believes that we are well on our way to creating a "global cascade" of evaluative thinking and practice. Evidence of this phenomenon can be seen in the field's…

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the notion of process use, that is, in understanding the ways in which individuals learn about the evaluand, evaluation practice, and each other, from their involvement in an evaluation study. As a form of social constructivism, process use is most closely related to participatory and…

Presents a vision for the future of evaluation in which it will play an expanded and more productive role within organizations. This future will emphasize a learning approach to evaluation that is contextually sensitive, ongoing, and supportive of dialogue, reflection, and decision making at all administrative levels. Traces the development of…

Introduces a new section for this journal devoted to teaching evaluation that intends to disseminate effective teaching strategies to the broad community of practicing evaluators. Articles for the planned section will focus on evaluation teaching and training in diverse environments. (SLD)